Noah could have said “no” to God and not built the ark.

Abraham could have said “no” to God and stayed in Haran.

Lot could have “no” to God and perished in Sodom.

Moses could have said “no” to God and remained in exile.

David could have said “no” to God and continued tending his sheep.

Jesus could have said “no” to God and stayed in Nazareth.

Matthew could have said “no” to God and continued as a tax collector.

Paul could have said “no” to God and remained a Pharisee.

All of these men could have continued living as they were before God called them. They were righteous men; no reason to believe they wouldn’t have continued being righteous, even if they’d turned God down. But we wouldn’t have heard about them, and the great feats God accomplished through them would have been accomplished through someone else.

Or not.

Think of all the men and women who were called by God and said “no”. Think of all the amazing feats that God could have accomplished on Earth if those people had instead said “yes”! I have no idea how many people have turned God down over the years, but I’m guessing the number if quite high. I’m guessing it might even be in the millions.

The reason I’m guessing it might be in the millions is because of the way most Christians react to the thought of really stepping out in faith. By “really stepping out  in faith” I mean consciously choosing whatever it takes (such as being poor, homeless, despised, outcast, without possessions, without friends, without family, without a spouse, and without children) to do God’s will by preaching and teaching the Word night and day, like Jesus did, until your dying breath, like Jesus did.

Poverty, homelessness, and living and dying as an outlaw are all horrible thoughts to most Christians and they don’t want to dwell on these uncomfortable thoughts for too long. Yet this is how God calls ALL of us to live, if we are genuinely following Jesus. Jesus lived homeless and despised and under constant threat of arrest, and so did his disciples. So why do you, if you call yourself a follower of Jesus, have a place full of possessions, live with a spouse and/or children, take pride in keeping the worldly peace, enjoy three square meals a day, and sleep comfortably in your warm and cushy bed at night?

How many people do you think God has called who have said “no” to him?

Are you one of them?

Do you try to justify your decision to say “no” by saying that God calls everyone in different ways?

Do you know what the devil does?

He tempts people. He’s a tempter. He tempts and he lies. One of his chief temptations is to prevent people from saying “yes” to God when God calls them. The devil showers them with money and possessions and a spouse and children and all the CARES OF THIS WORLD that he can pile onto them so that when God calls them, they have a million and one excuses why they can’t heed the call, just like the people who were called to the king’s wedding feast had a million and one excuses: “Oh, sorry God, I just got married, and, well, you know…. Oh, sorry God, I just bought a house and I’m starting a new job next week. Maybe catch up with me again when my kids graduate?… Oh, sorry God, I love you and all that, but I love my family, too, and I owe them my loyalty and protection, so I’m going to have to say no. But thanks anyway for thinking of me!”

How many people do you think have said “no” to God when he called?

Are you one of them?

Do you know the eternal ramifications of saying “no” to God so that you can enjoy the comforts of this world? Jesus tells us what they are: He says that you have your reward already. The life you’re living now is all you get. This is it. Not a whit more. No Heaven. And by your choice.

But the good news is that it’s not too late to change your mind, like the prodigal son changed his mind. You can still say “yes” to God. You can still walk away from everything that is holding you back – ALL THE CARES OF THIS WORLD – and really step out in faith. That’s all God’s looking for – people to take that first step when he calls, and then he takes it from there. Noah, Abraham, Lot, Moses, David, Jesus, Matthew, Paul and thousands of others really stepped out in faith. Will God be adding your name to that list, or will you just continue to roll over in your comfy bed and put a sly smile on the devil’s face?

The choice is yours.

The right one is clear.

But the offer is time-limited and may be withdrawn at any moment, without notice

The choice is yours.

The right one is clear.

Make it now, before it’s too late.

Tell God you’re ready to really step out in faith.

Tell God you want your name on that list with Noah and Moses and Jesus and Paul.

Tell him; mean it; and when the call comes: Go.