Chapter – 5 ‘Who has the Gift’
Chaplin Yosef had been the last to ascend the hill once the four platoons had established themselves in strategic positions. Those had been his orders; the Major did not want a non-combatant in the way of soldiers that might be needed to defend their new position. It had been a large hill; well over a quarter mile across the diameter and ascended up; it was close to five-hundred feet at its peak. It was rocky in spots and had some large trees in several places, which were mostly throughout the lower half of the hill.
It was two days later and there didn’t seem to be an enemy in sight. It was spring now and the days were mild and the evenings were still on the cool side. The troops were scattered in several locations all across the hill. The Chaplin was near the peak as the sun went down that evening. Beaman was now teamed with a different guy named Gilbert; he was ever bit 6’5” tall and wore size fifteen shoes. They were no more than ten feet away when the Chaplin laid back on a large bolder and spoke, “Beaman, which comes first in the order, is it day or night?” Beaman laughed at the Chaplin and told him that everyone knew that day always comes first, then the evening came later.
Yosef cleared his throat then he spoke, “Yes, that’s the way most people think but when creation occurred and God spoke that first day into existence, scripture tells us there was evening and then there was morning, which consisted of the first day.” He told Beaman that with God, it was the evening or sundown that was the start of a new day. “Think about what just happened to you; you lived in darkness and now you live in Christ [who is the light]. Which was first for you; being in the dark or the light?” Yosef then looked up and there were a million stars shinning. He pointed up and then he commented, “All of that happened when God spoke; some of those star gazers call it the ‘big bang’ but those of us that the Lord has provided godly wisdom too; we know the difference.” God spoke creation into being. [Gen. Ch1.]
It was silent; the three of them could hear the leaves on the trees near them rustling with the breeze. Finally the Chaplin spoke, “Gilbert, have you ever thought what your eternity might be like? Most young people never get around to that thought.” Gilbert let the question sink in.
“I can’t remember a time that I’ve thought beyond two to three years.” He told the Chaplin that he had heard Graham talking with him, then he said, “Do you think Graham is with God? My ‘grams’ used to talk about the importance of church but my dad never went and none of the rest of us ever went. I don’t know that much about the bible or how it reads.”
Yosef told the two that the scriptures were filled with how mankind should live if they wanted to please God. I’ve told people this before but it needs repeated often, “God does not force anyone to go to heaven BUT the Lord does have an open invitation to ALL. Scripture tells us to draw near to God and he will draw near to them James 4:8.”He told them that mankind has to be willing to make the effort to take the first step or reach their hand toward the Lord. “God provides the forgiveness that we all need through the savior of mankind, that’s Jesus.” He told them the stories of Jesus as the Lamb, who had to be the atonement for the sins of the people. He explained about the Judge and the sinner; about the innocent one taking the place of the guilty; for those who would with their own voice; ask HIM to be their Savior.
Both listened and finally Gilbert spoke, “Sounds good Chaplin but why would someone suffer, shed their blood, and eventually die for a sinner?” Yosef told him that scripture tells us that we need, Faith, Hope, and Love; that the greatest of them was Love 1 Cor.13:13. “God is LOVE and he gave mankind a plan that included HIS love. We just have to accept it. It is like HIM placing a gift on the table. Before it is our gift we have to reach out and take it. Then it becomes ours.” Yosef reached into his pocket and pulled out a five inch bone handled knife and put it on a rock. “I am offering this knife to you as a gift. Will you take it or reject it?” Gilbert paused and looked toward the dimly lit face of the Chaplin.
Finally Gilbert sighed, then responded, “I would like to have the gift but what’s the catch?” Yosef told him there wasn’t a catch; he told them that God wasn’t willing to have man end up in HELL so HE has a plan that will allow man to escape it. “Wouldn’t you like to spend eternity in heaven? It is a choice that each man must make. Now it is your turn to make the choice; Beaman did.” He paused for a moment and then spoke again, “Do you want the gift of eternal life in heaven OR do you want to reject the offer that God is making. One thing I haven’t told you before is this; to not make the choice for Jesus has a default. The default adds up to rejecting the gift; what do you think now?”
Gilbert chuckled for a moment and finally spoke, “I’m not totally stupid Chaplin; I need Jesus to take my place and then to receive the atonement that Graham got before he died. Let’s talk.” Beaman smiled as he watched the Rabbi speak with Gilbert.
***
“Start today to fashion your life so you can live in a way that you continue leaving the darkness behind more and more 1Peter 2:9; then the light in your future will become a little brighter each day. [we must each take one day at a time’ drawing closer to God each day] God spoke, God made, and God created. Gen. Chapter 1 Today he speaks to us through God the Holy Spirit.” What miracle happened when Jesus spoke to the sea from the boat? Math.8:26
***
Gen. 1: Creation chapter…
James 4:8, Draw near to God and then He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [Who should take the initiative?]
1 Cor. 13:13, But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love
1 Peter 2:9, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellences of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. [The Jews faltered; became hard hearted; the Gentiles were then grafted as children]
Math. 8:26, HE, Jesus, *said to them [disciples], “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then HE got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. [Their Faith was weak]
DG