“As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, NOW IS THE TIME OF GOD’S FAVOR, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.”
—2 Corinthians 6:1, 2.

The issue is clearly set. On the one side, Jesus stands with outstretched nail-pierced hands, urging you to take your stand with the “saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). On the other side are the voices of mere human beings, urging that obedience to the entire Bible and to all the commandments of God is not important.

The crowd in Pilate’s judgment hall once faced a strikingly similar issue. On the one hand was Jesus, the Son of man—but also the divine-human God-man. On the other hand was Barabbas, a helpless man, unable to help himself or those in the crowd who witnessed that tragic scene. And yet when the commanding words of Pilate rang through the motley crowd, “Which of the two shall I release unto you?” the multitude of voices thundered back in angry tones, “Barabbas!”

“What then,” asked Pilate, “shall I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?”

With one voice the crowd shouted, “Let Him be crucified!” And so Jesus, the innocent One, was crucified; and Barabbas, the guilty one, went free. (See Matthew 27:20-26, Weymouth translation.)

Whom do you choose today, Barabbas or Jesus? Do you choose to follow man-made ideas and teachings that are contrary to the commandments of God and contrary to the eternal gospel of Jesus? Or do you desire to “obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus”? Remember, He is the One who promises to send His Holy Spirit to solve your every perplexity, to heal your every heartache, and to satisfy your every longing.

Dear Heavenly Father: I want more than anything to kneel before You face-to-face, in adoration and praise. I want to take my stand to be fully on your side. I want to be one of your commandment-keeping followers in these last days. I long for the day when I’ll be with you in your kingdom. I know that is only possible through the great sacrifice of Jesus, Your Son. I accept Your gracious offer, and I ask You to become Lord of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.