Letter to the Editor

Committing spiritual suicide

Friday, November 2, 2007

While growing up in the Rocky Mountains of the West, one of the things that always caught my attention was the plant or tree that was hanging on to life, dangling out of the side of a cliff or rocky crag. Immense granite boulders develop the smallest of fractures, and out of the fissure will be sprouting an alpine flower in full colorful bloom. In the middle of a black, cruelly crusty lava flow, a cedar or pinion tree heartily grows. In the middle of the hot dusty terrain of the White Sands Desert, yucca cactus and mesquite bushes and trees flourish. How can life be growing in the harshest of terrains? And not just plant life, but animals and insects as well! As you probably know, not every form of life does survive in such an environment. Only the plants that send their roots the deepest to where life-giving water is stored can survive the cruel elements. An orchid, African violet, or water lily can not make it.

And only those animals and insects that are prepared can exist in harms way. To enter these vicious environments unprepared would be similar to committing suicide.

A story has been passed on to us about seed that is planted in various types of soil. The story in a nut-shell is that wheat seed planted on a road, in a gravel pile or in the weed patch will not grow to a crop that can be harvested, whereas, seed on good ground will.

Jesus Christ is that one who told that story and He told the story as an illustration with an explanation. You can read it in your Bible in Matthew 13. Jesus said the seed is His message of life.

The differing soils represent all people. Some of those people won't listen to the message of Jesus... they are hardened against it. Some people will listen a little and allow it to enter their life, but they will not allow it to influence them very long. Other people will dabble with going to church and listening to a preacher or teacher for awhile, but when it comes to making a whole-hearted commitment to Jesus Christ, forget it! Then there are the few (less than ten percent of Americans who prize religious freedom) who are committed to believing and obeying Jesus Christ. as their personal Lord and Savior.

The point is, according to the Bible, those who refuse to put Jesus Christ in first place in their life are committing spiritual suicide. The opportunity is available now in every city of the United States. But the choice is yours on which belief system you will follow I have been noticing a rise in interest in the unseen spiritual powers, especially on the TV networks. The sad thing is, most people have ignored the most significant visitor from out of this world. Jesus Christ left heaven, taught and showed us how to live. He died for us and then came back to life after three days of death. He went back into heaven, but has promised to return to judge every human being on their decision to accept or reject His way of life. His story is in the Bible.

Have you chosen to commit spiritual suicide or to obey the Lord of life? It is up to you. Better than the plant life in the harshest of conditions, you can live for eternity by anchoring your life in the source of Living Water, Jesus Christ.