the sun and the Son are offered alike

The Word for today:
Psalm 115

mark this: Psalm 115:8 --
People who make idols will become like them, and so will those who trust them.

Psalm 115:8 teaches us that some people are going to become like their lifeless idols.

At the same time, Romans 8:29 teaches us that others are going to be just like Jesus, predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.

Is that fair? In every way! Because while there are different outcomes, a spiritual principle has been equally applied: We become what we believe in.

Some go to heaven and some go to hell. Vastly different outcomes, but the same spiritual opportunity has been offered:
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

That most well-known Bible verse starts out with an all-inclusive statement. It shows that God does not withhold salvation from anyone.

But at whoever, results begin to diverge. Some of the whoever choose faith in Jesus; some of the whoever choose faith in else what. The divergent blessings which result do not originate in the heart of God, but in the hearts of individual men. Which Jesus goes on to explain in the next verses:
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. (John 3:17-18)

Let's look for further evidence of God's all-inclusiveness:
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44-45)

God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9b)

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God holds his saving right hand out to all. But some do not reach out to take hold of his offer. (That's what is meant when scripture speaks of receiving Jesus. See John 1:12)

Q. What do the sun, the rain, and Jesus have in common?
A. They are given alike to every man.

Q. Then why is Jesus different to different people?
A. He is received differently.

Some get tanned and some prefer the shade.  Some get saved and some don't. 
But the sun and the Son are offered alike.

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