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“Let’s
Make a Deal,” a popular game-of-chance show on TV gave
audience participants an opportunity to choose one of
three doors behind which a valuable prize existed.
Behind the other two doors would be a “booby” prize or
something of little or no value. It’s a game of
chance, because the player doesn’t know what they have
chosen when they make the decision.
“The
show is based around deals offered to members of the
audience by the host. The traders usually have to weigh
the possibility of an offer being for a valuable prize,
or an undesirable item, referred to as a "Zonk."
The
host would select them out of the crowd and offer them a
chance to win a fabulous prize. For instance, he might
offer you $100 for every paper clip that you have in
your possession or he might give you $500, but then ask
you if you would like to keep the money or trade it for
what's in a particular box. Of course there could be
$1000 in the box or a single can of dog food.” (Wikipedia)
Those
who were chosen to play the game had to give up
something to qualify for choosing a door.
We
will all have to make a choice in this life. Which door
leads to God and everlasting life? Other gods clamber
for our attention.
Which god will be the “prize” that has what we need to
get through this life and then make it to a place of
eternal rest and happiness afterward? The choices are
many and varied, but unlike the game “Let’s Make a Deal”
we have information about what is behind the doors.
It’s not a game of chance; God didn’t leave us to make a
choice without giving us some definitive directions
toward the right door.
Jesus identified Himself as a “good Shepherd” and said,
“…Verily,
verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep”
(John 10:7).
To be sure they understood, again He said,
“I
am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be
saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John
10:9).
Fortunately for us, we don’t have to wonder which door
to choose to find a great treasure. The right Door is
marked plainly for all to see and choose, and it is
transparent.
Other
doors offer things that appeal to our fleshly desires,
and Satan is the door by which we enter them. Once the
“contestant” chooses another door, the “doorkeeper”
presents enticements to lure entrants further into the
door. Money, fame, alcohol, drugs, sex and anything
else that might attract and entice their flesh will be
offered. No warnings of consequences will be posted,
just enter and enjoy. Those doors are veiled and
subtle.
Some
doors will offer prestige, prosperity and the “good
life.” Satan has a big bag of lies and
misrepresentations as lures. He even has doors that
will exalt you to be a god! You can have your own world
in the next life to reign over.
In
other words, there are doors that appeal to whatever
suits our fancy. But just like the game show, you have
to give up something to be eligible to choose a door.
And like the show, it might seem miniscule compared to
what you are expecting to receive behind the door.
First, you have to choose to give up “Door Number One”
--The Door-- behind which Jesus is waiting. This
is not "a" door, but "the" door, incomparable.
In the
game show, contestants dress up in funny, sometimes
ridiculous costumes, to be noticed by the host. In this
case, Satan will dress up in whatever attire that will
appeal to you. He will appear as your friendly host.
“And no marvel;
for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light”
(2 Corinthians 11:14).
His
costume will match whatever “turns you on.”
You
see, if you pass up The Door, Door Number One,
for another, you’ve deprived yourself of divine guidance
to make the right choice. In John 9:5
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”
The amazing thing about light is that it dispels
darkness! In the light, hidden corners are lighted,
dust and cobwebs are discovered, things lost can be
found and exits are exposed. Jesus is that Light, and
He is available to everyone who desires it; He will show
the way out of the dark.
“That was the
true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into
the world” (John 1:9).
Jesus
is the TRUE light, which gives us a clue that there are
lights that are not true and will be extinguished after
deceiving us. Jesus further said,
“But he
that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the
sheep.”
A thief has to find some other entrance hoping to enter
without detection to steal sheep.
(John 10:1)
What
will it cost us to enter The Door, “Door Number
One”? What will we have to give up? Only our sins that
are going to destroy us anyway if we keep them! The
penalty for sin is death, eternal separation from God
and the heavenly treasures, and Jesus has already paid
the penalty.
“…I
have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut
it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my
word, and hast not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8).
At
“Door Number One” we don’t have to wonder what is behind
our choice. Jesus stands there knocking, waiting for
us. He knocks on OUR door with His arms full of gifts
of Grace, Mercy and Love. His invitation is to “any
man.”
“Behold, I
stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice,
and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup
with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).
Know
for sure, that only “Door Number One” has the True God,
our Redeemer, waiting for our choice. There are only
false gods behind any other door!
“Thus saith the
LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of
hosts; I am the first, and I am the last, and beside me
there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6). “….Is there a God
beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any. I am
the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside
me…” (Isaiah 44:8, 45:1).
Need
more assurance?—“Tell
ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel
together: who hath declared this from ancient time? Who
hath told it from that time? Have not I the LORD? And
there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour;
there is none beside me”
(Isaiah 45:21).
Don’t
be tempted to choose any other door.
“...for there is no savior beside me” (Hosea 13:4).
What
the other doors offer may have the appearance of a good
choice, but they will ultimately lead to destruction.
Only Jesus can fulfill His promise of eternal life with
Him and a joy-filled life now, so don’t hesitate.
Choose
“Door Number One” --The Door! The Real Prize is
waiting there for you!
~~Delores~~
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