.     Many people are in mourning over the death of boxing great Cassius Clay, better known as Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali had many accomplishments in this life. In the Olympics and in the professional ring. His rewards were riches & fame here on earth. But now he is gone, never to fight again, never to love again, and most importantly, no more chances to find life. I also mourn. But not for the loss of an American Icon, but because of what he didn't have. Muhammad Ali chose (freewill) to serve a false god. Denying the Cross of Christ and forfeiting eternal life. A much greater reward than any of his accomplishments as a boxer could ever hope to give. Truth is he could have had both, but which is most important? And it was a free gift. He didn't have to earn it, work for it, or train for it. Just accept and ask Jesus into his heart and acknowledge Christ as his Savior. So while the world mourns a fallen Icon, believers mourn a lost soul. I would like to say, "may he rest in peace," but I know it's too late. And I know there is no peace without Jesus in your heart. I urge all to seek eternal rewards and not temporary ones! 

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."      Galations 6:7-8

Are you a child of God? And what makes you a child of God? I ask these questions because there seems to be some confusion in this matter amongst the congregations. In some circles people believe and teach that everyone is a child of God. Their logic comes from Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." What this means is that we are God's creation. We are created to have relationship with Him. The big problem is that sin entered the world and broke the relationship. The good news is that God had a plan to repair that broken relationship. He sent Jesus, His only begotten Son to be a sacrifice for all who would believe. Now with faith and belief in Jesus as our Savior we become joint heirs with Christ as brothers and sisters. Then and only then do we become children of God. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"   (John 1:12), "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.   (Romans 8:15-17). So you see, not everyone is a child of God. And not by God's choice, but by our own. He gives us freewill, that we may choose Him and love Him as He loves us. If only everyone would choose Jesus!