Europe - In or Out?

All UK nationals will be asked in June to vote in a referendum to decide whether to stay in the European Union or to leave and function outside the E.U. Straw Polls reveal that the nation is evenly split now, but as the arguments for and against step up in intensity, the ‘don’t knows’ will swing it one way or the other.

Big issues such as security against terrorism by introducing stricter border controls, plus the future of the economy and how trade will be affected if we leave. Restoring sovereignty in government is a big factor, which the ‘brexits’ (people who want to get out of the E.U.) are pushing for, to have greater say in decisions affecting their future. Politicians are urging folks out of complacency, telling them that this will be the greatest decision of their lifetime. I’ve got news for them; there is a bigger decision we have to make in our lifetime that affects where we will spend eternity, that is, whether we are in or out of Heaven.

The protagonists on both sides are using scare tactics. Warning of the dangers that lay ahead if the wrong choice is made, in or out of Europe.

I have never been in danger by having stepped inadvertently into a pit of quicksand, having my feet trapped in the quagmire and my body steadily sinking to a certain death. This must be a frightening experience to be in and requires a powerful person to affect a deliverance from this trauma. Neither have I been in a burning building without any visible means of escape. How one would shout out for someone to help and save them from the flames. In both of those situations described every person would want to be out of that danger.

There are places that we desire to be in. We want to be in a good hotel and a good resort when we take our holiday. Somewhere that will be peaceful, restful and desirable for us to chill-out and recharge the batteries. If we find our accommodation is the pits with rowdy behaviour disturbing ones sleep at night, then you want to out of there ASAP! One needs to make the right choice in securing the best destination. It is great when it works out right.

Some opportunities in life are time critical, when a person has to be in time to get the best result. Too many situations finish disappointedly when the time to decide has run out and the opportunity is missed.

The Bible speaks a lot about ‘in and out’; indeed the first word of the Bible is the word ‘In’. Genesis 1:1 reads, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” The word ‘in’ relates to time and place and both are found in this verse. It relates to the beginning of time, the first tick of the clock, and also the vastness of space and the wonder of Planet Earth. Tim Peake has had some fantastic views from space of Planet Earth and has adjusted to weightlessness in the Space Lab.

Some people want to propel time backwards, thousands or billions of years to accommodate their evolution faith. Those who believe the Word of God accept that before Christ came to earth about 4000 years had run their course and around 2000 years since He went back to Heaven.

Not only has the earth seven millenia of time to run but the human body goes through seven year cycles reaching puberty at about 14 years of age with significan changes for males and females. Moses said in Psalm 90:10. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Ten seven year cycles and then where do we fly to?

I do like the truth of the Bible that when a man or woman, boy or girl believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and receives him as their Saviour, at that moment they are born again, they are placed into the family of God, they are ‘In Christ’ and can never be out of Christ. Gal 3:26 says, For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.Three verses in Romans ch.8 are conclusive, Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul continues in 2 Cor 5:17  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” To be in Christ brings peace of heart and mind, a unique quality of love never before experienced before conversion and a joy that exceeds any human elation.

There are many people at this moment of time who are not in Christ, they have never come to Christ for forgiveness and salvation. Positionally they are out of Christ. Eph 2:12 reads, That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

Frank M Davis wrote this hymn  ‘Out of Christ, without a Saviour, Oh! can it, can it be; Like a ship without a rudder, On a wild and stormy sea! Refrain: Oh! to be without a Saviour, With no hope nor refuge nigh; Can it be, O blessed Saviour, One without Thee dares to die?’ What is it going to be, in or out? The matter of the E.U. is important, the matter of being in Heaven in eternty is of great import. Be saved today and be ready to go in when you are called.  God bless you all.

Written for Seek the Truth by a Guest Blogger

For more information visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk