“Opt-Out?”

Most of us know that when you are online, you receive many advertisements, newsletters and emails. Usually, at the end, you are given the choice to “opt-out” or discontinue receiving them. It’s also used with your company insurance, giving you the choice to “opt out” of their coverage, especially if you are already covered on your spouse’s insurance.

The term opt-out refers to several methods by which individuals can avoid receiving unsolicited product or service information. This ability is usually associated with direct marketing campaigns such as telemarketing, e-mail marketing, or direct mail. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opt-out

Unfortunately, we don’t get to “opt-out” of this journey set forth by God.

Even when Satan helps lead us to extremes, such as intentional suicide, we may have ended our existence prematurely on this time side of life, but we don’t get to “opt-out” of our individual appointment with God on Judgment Day.

Acts 17:31(NKJV):  because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

Hebrews 9:27(NKJV):  And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

Romans 14:11(NKJV): For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”

We can’t think what we want, say what we want, or do what we want…and think we can “opt-out” of the consequence. It doesn’t work that way…

Granted…God gave us all free-moral will. But “free is not free.” It comes with responsibilities. We will still be held accountable…

There are instances in the Bible where individuals tried to “opt-out” of their responsibilities. God did not allow it.

Cases in Point:

#1 – In Genesis, Cain tried to “opt-out” of his responsibility of being a loving brother.  NOTE: God already knew he had killed his brother Abel before He asked him.

Genesis 4:9 (NKJV): Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Genesis 4:12 (NKJV): “When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”

#2 – When God told Jonah to go to Ninevah to minister to the people, Jonah tried to “opt-out.” It took him being tossed overboard at sea and spending  three days in a whale’s belly to realize that this was unacceptable and to become obedient.

Jonah 1:1-3 (NKJV): 1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

Jonah 1:15-17 (NKJV):  So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows. 17 Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 2:1 (NKJV): Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.

Jonah 2:10 (NKJV): So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

#3 – John the Baptist tried to “opt-out” of baptizing Jesus. He felt unworthy to do so. However, Jesus told him it was His Father’s Will that he do so.

John 3:13 -17 (NKJV): 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. 16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Quotes to Consider:

"Dying is easy, it's living that scares me to death." ~ Annie Lennox

“God never promised it would be easy; He promised it would be worth it.” – unknown

Many of us try to “opt out” of responsibilities, such as, as a parent; a Role model; even as a Christian. Guess what? This option is NOT AVAILABLE.

Now, we can choose to ignore it or simply refuse to do it.

“You are free to choose, but you are not free from the consequences of that choice.” - unknown

It would serve us well to stop trying to “opt-out” of this life, be faithful and practice obedience …ijs…