Have you been voted off the island?

I am sure you have heard of the show Survivor. It has been extremely popular over the years. The premise is basic. People get voted off the island until there is only one left. I must confess I am probably one of the few people that have never seen an episode. I understand the appeal of the show. You watch people form partnerships, strategic alliances to advance their agenda which is, “to win the show”.  I get it, the drama, the heartache, the treachery it is what passes for entertainment in today’s culture. But what if you could just apply, be accepted and never get voted off?

It is a reverse idea. You are invited to the island. All you need to do is apply. It is a place where there are no arguments, where there is harmony and peace, liked-minded people. The island community is there to support one another. Help each other grow and develop in accordance with the goals set. You live there forever happily, comfortably and in communion with others. 

The first step would be to make your island community known so that people want to be on it. As part of the process, you might want to explain the characteristics of the people being sought and recruited. Make known the goals and objectives. People that saw that vision and liked the idea would then need to apply. 

The application process might start with qualifying questions. Maybe an interview with the potential candidate. Will past behavior be a factor? Would there be a need for references? How about the dreaded credit check? You would want to know as much as you could before letting anyone on the island. 

What if some thought your criteria to be selected is just too difficult. Other islands are easier to get on but are nowhere near as nice. Their community is not the same. The climate is harsher. Rather than apply people choose to not bother and willingly head to other islands. These same people now accuse you of forcing them to these decisions because of all your restrictions. Is it fair to accuse you of sending people somewhere else when they never really tried to be on your island in the first place?  

God has invited us to His island called Heaven. Rather than strict rules that we could never live up to qualify to be on His “island”. He asks one thing, belief in His Son Jesus. It is not blind faith He asks. Christianity is a testable faith. There is much history, archeology, personal testimony, extra-Biblical evidence and more. If you have questions search for answers, search for people to discuss your doubts. God has given us a lifetime to understand who He is and our purpose. 

Yet there are those that willingly choose to deny Jesus and God Himself. Then they decry that why would God not let them into heaven. The real question is why would a loving God force them into heaven? When people reject God in this life why would they want to spend eternity with Him? Isn’t free will about choosing what you want? Isn’t God simply honoring their request to not be considered to be on His “island”? That failure is not Gods it is something we are accountable for. 
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I don’t think God sends people to hell. People decide in this life if they want to be with God in the next. Can you be voted off the island if you never applied to be on it?