Believer’s Boot Camp Lesson 5 The Choice: Whose Side Are You On?

 

Believer’s Boot Camp Lesson 5
The Choice: Whose Side Are You On?

There is a spiritual battle going on. The first attack occurred at the dawn of creation when the enemy launched a strike on our first parents Adam and Eve. This battle will continue until Jesus comes to claim those who are his. It is vital that I know what side I’m on in this battle.  It is not a passive choice; I must make my choice of which side I am on. I must know where I stand.  

I must know if God sees me as belonging to Him or to His enemy?

 

The Fall of Mankind - Genesis 2:16-17: 3:1-24


How did God cover Adam and Eve's nakedness?
With skins of animals

Why weren't their aprons enough?  What does this picture about salvation?
God had to cover their sin, showing their own works was not enough. They could not save themselves from the effects of their own sin.

Consequence and Judgment

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned

How did sin enter the world?
 
Sin entered this world and mankind by Adam's disobedience in the garden of Eden. Death is the consequence of sin in all of us because like Adam we have all sinned.

From Genesis 3, we can see three things:

Genesis 3:3 Sin is transgression (breaking) of God’s law.  
Genesis 3:6 Sin's basic characteristic is selfishness.
Genesis 3:14-17 Sin's consequences are sorrow, death, and judgment.

The Battle’s Final Outcome
    
Like all great battles this one will end. When it is over all mankind will be affected for all eternity.  Great reward goes to those who are on God’s side, but great punishment to those on Satan’s.

You must know, without a doubt, which side you are on.


Jesus gives a glimpse of the final outcome of all men in Luke 16:19-31.

According to Jesus, what is the final destiny of these two men and all men?
Heaven or Hell, paradise or torment.

How did Jesus describe Hell in Matthew 25:41,45-46 and Matthew 11?
Jesus said Hell was an eternal burning punishment.

Will hell be the same for all those sent there?  

No, in hell there will be degrees of punishment proportional to his knowledge of the Gospel and according to his deeds while alive.

Who does Revelation 20:11-15 say will go to eternal punishment?  
Those not found written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Why are the other books used if those at the Great White Throne Judgment are already condemned?
These “other” books record the works of the lost and will determine the degree of punishment they will suffer in hell.
 

Whose names are in the Book of Life?

Hebrew 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

I John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Whose names then are written in the Book of Life?  
Those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

God’s Side	Satan’s Side
Have been reborn spiritually. (John 3:7) Know they are sinners (Rom 3:23) Know they can’t save themselves (Eph 2:8-10) Know why Christ died on the cross. (1 Timothy 1:15) Know Jesus as their Lord and Savior (John 17:3) Have called out to God for salvation through Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:8-13)	Have been born only physically not spiritually. Think that all people are about as good as everyone else. Believe that good works will take them to heaven. Think that Jesus was a great teacher or prophet but not God in the flesh or Savior. Know Jesus only as a historical figure.  Have no personal, present relationship with Him.  Have never called out to God for salvation through Jesus Christ.

Choosing

Which side are you on right now, God’s or Satan’s?

If you do not make the right choice, where would you spend eternity?

If you are not on God’s side what must you do?  Read Acts 16:31


Conclusion
 

There is no more important choice in all of time and eternity than choosing which side you are on, God’s or Satan’s.
You cannot leave this choice to chance, tomorrow or someone else. It is your eternal life, your eternal destiny and eternal destination that is at risk.
Don’t make the wrong choice and don’t wait until it is too late.