Invitation or Intrusion

Someone known for honesty and generosity comes with an engraved invitation to a series of great events that will enrich your life. He offers to provide transportation and even pays all your expenses.  Someone else comes with a slick, sales pitch to convince you that you must be at the “to die for” event. He overcharges for the night out and robs your home while you are away.  Which would you prefer?  It would seem like an easy choice.  Of course, the invitation is the preferable of the two.  And yet everyday many are deceived by the intruder instead. 

In a Bible study I once participated in, we was asked to look up several scripture passages that describe Jesus, (John 6:48, 14:16, 16:13 and Isaiah 9:6) and several that describe Satan. (John 8:44, 10:10, 16:13 and Revelation 12:9)  Simply looking at the four verses for each, a pattern jumped out at me.   Benefits offered with an invitation to receive were contrasted with intrusion, devastation and treachery.

All the verses concerning Jesus tell of who He is and what He offers to all who will choose to follow Him.  These include bread, (provision for our need) the way, (direction for our lives) truth, (accurate vision) life (both here and in heaven) and so much more. We are left with the choice to reach out and take advantage of what is offered or not.  A response, born of our will, is required.  There is no implication here of force or coercion. The offering is presented and the choice is up to the individual.

On the other hand, the verses concerning Satan contained terms like liar, murderer, thief, evil one and dragon.  None of these titles contain any particular concern for the person who is the object of their actions.  Manipulation and hatred are what these terms evoke in my mind. We lock the doors of our homes in an attempt to keep this type of person out.  Yet, by agreement, we often extend an invitation to this intruder to enter our lives and join our pity parties.

Unfortunately, the victim of this scoundrel often believes the lies are his own ideas and desires.  These thoughts, placed in our mind by the enemy of our souls, always have some basis in truth, but they have been drastically twisted. There is always some element that is attractive and entices the listener. This attractiveness is mixed with a false urgency becoming a great pressure to conform to worldly patterns.  And once you have conformed, this liar is more than happy to bring an abundance of accusation and condemnation for what you have done wrong.  

 “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)” (John 10:10 AMP) This passage describes the comparison between Satan and Jesus quite well. We see the destruction of darkness contrasted with the joy of an overflowing, abundant life that comes with light. This abundance comes in the form of peace, joy and real love.  Darkness can create cheap imitations but can never compare to the inner qualities that accompany walking in the light.  

The choice is ours.  Which offer will we choose?  Moses put the choice before the Israelites in the desert. “I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19 AMP)  Which path will we follow?  ^“ Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” (Amos 3:3 NLT)  Are we conned into following a wrong path by half truths and lies?  “There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12 Amp)  Or do we accept the invitation given by Jesus to receive all the blessings He offers and has already paid for?   “Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.” (John 14:6 AMP)  This path ends with life here and in eternity.

Choose your path wisely.  The invitation is before you.  The intruder is also nearby. Who you listen to and believe is who you will follow.