On November 8th, many Americans will go to the polls to choose the next President of the United States. There are many choices we make in life, some more important than others. Scripture presents numerous examples of those who made choices which should be examples to us in choosing right with its accompanying joy or choosing wrong which leads to great sorrow. There is one choice however which is more important than any other, for it has eternal consequences. One cannot remain neutral in regard to this choice, for to do so is to choose eternal death in hell. The choice I am speaking of can be explained by a remarkable story about a man named Thorp.

Thorp and some wicked companions were infuriated by the open-air preaching of that prince of evangelists, George Whitfield, the friend and companion of John Wesley in the 18th century.

Not content with rudely interrupting Whitfield's public meetings, Thorp and his friends went to a tavern, there to spend the night in making merry. A proposal was made that each in turn imitate the preacher with a prize given to the best performer. This proposal was received with loud applause.

The three companions took turns in mockery, reading aloud a verse of Scripture and pouring out a stream of blasphemous ribaldry, imitating the mannerisms and style of Mr. Whitfield.

Thorp then arose, boasting that he would excel them all. He announced his text—"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:5). The sequel was most unexpected. As Thorp quoted the text it proved its living power, for there he stood, a guilty and condemned sinner in the sight of God. His conscience awoke and threatened him with the judgment of God for his blasphemous intentions. The Spirit of God laid His mighty hand upon him. Instead of following the evil example of his wicked companions he, like Balaam of old, was forced to give utterance to divine truths. As he proceeded with his address, he spoke truths that gripped the terror stricken consciences of his guilty companions and they were spellbound. They dared not stop him; they were awestruck.

When Thorp finished his discourse, not a word was said about the prize. He went silently to his home, a changed man, converted to God by his own sermon. He knew by personal experience that "the Word of God is quick [living], and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, … and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12).

Thorp became a consistent Christian and an earnest preacher of the gospel. He often declared that if ever he spoke under the direct power of the Spirit of God, it was on that memorable occasion.

There was a definite time in Thorp's life when he made a choice which determined his eternal destiny. We can happily say that he chose the way of life as found in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus rather than continuing on in the wicked life he had been following with its ultimate end of eternal death.

It is our prayer, dear reader, that you will make the wise choice, as Thorp and many others have, in confession of our sins and acceptance of the provision made by the Lord Jesus on the Cross of Calvary in payment for those sins.

"I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that thou and thy seed may live" (Deut. 30:19).