God wants everyone to be saved, but He will not force us to obey him. It is up to man to make the decision as to whether or not he will follow God’s word. That decision should be seen as the most important decision a person will ever make because that decision will determine one’s eternal destiny.
God has given man His word, “Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20, 21); “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). This word tells of man’s creation, his fall to sin, the promise of God offering redemption, and how God carried out that plan.
This word tells how men ought to act toward God and his fellowman. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matt. 22:37 – 38). It has been said that if the Bible were not true if mankind followed its teaching the world would be a far better place. Knowing that it is true and from God, all men ought to take a great interest in studying this God given book.
Learning about God is like most anything else, it takes time and commitment; time to sit and study the word, and then committing to obey it. However so many do not have time to spend in God’s book. They get so busy living life they fail to plan for the next life. Yes they are aware that death will occur but they think it will not come to them any ways soon. The Bible also addresses this kind of thinking. “Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (James 4:13 – 15).
Knowing that this life is but for a time each person should take the time to study the Bible for themselves. It can be understood. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim.
2:15). The first step in learning about God is to read and study His word. God wants all to be saved, but those who refuse to open His word, study it and obey it will not be saved. Make the right decision, open God’s word and obey the gospel while time is still on your side.