Choices

Have you ever thought about your choices? God has given us free will to make choices. There are good choices and bad choices, right choices and wrong choices, and life and death choices.

Throughout God's word, our Father instructs us on making choices.

First, our choices begin with our thoughts in our minds. Before making any decisions, please make sure your thoughts line up with His word to you.

"The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:6)

Do your thoughts bring you comfort and peace? Does your current decision bring you life? A "life" decision will give you peace. If a decision does not give you peace, then it is the wrong choice for you. It is also considered a "death" decision. It is the exact opposite of a "life" decision. You will not experience peace with a "death" decision. There will be discomfort, unrest, or uneasiness about your decision.

Which choice are you thinking about now? What decision are you getting ready to make soon?

Our Father reminds us that He has "...set before you [us] today life and prosperity, death and destruction." (Deut 30:15)

Even though, our Father has given us free will to make our own decisions. He does want to help us with them. We have to cooperate with Him though.

"For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws..." (Deut 30:16a)

We have to make the decision to love and obey Him. He tells us "...then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land...." (Deut 30:16b)

In His word, our Father often talks about life and death. He says "...that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses." (Deut 30:19a)

He encourages us to, "...choose life, so that you and your children may live..." (Deut 30:19b)

As any earthly Dad wants from their children, our Heavenly Father wants us to love Him. However, that is also a choice.

"...and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and He will give you many years in the land...." (Deut 30:20)

Our Father loves us so much! He only wants the best for us. He wants to help us make the right decisions for our lives, but it is still our choice. However, He does give us these same two choices in every decision every day of our lives.

"This is what the LORD says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death." (Jeremiah 21:8)

He encourages us to "Choose life and not death!" (2 Kings 18:32)

His word also tells us, "Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness." (Romans 6:13) It is also a choice though.

In addition, our Father wants us to choose to help our brothers and sisters in Christ. Afterall, we each have special gifts from our Father to work together for His purpose. He sometimes gives us wisdom or knowledge to know something in order to lovingly speak the truth to them or forewarn them about something.

“If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.” (1 John 5:16-17)

Be on guard at all times for the enemy. (Ephesians 6:11) Be prepared to speak the truth in love to anyone at any time. (Ephesians 4:15) Pray without ceasing for yourself and others. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

With each decision you make, it is either one of life or one of death. Please think and pray about each decision ahead of time. In addition, choose wisely. If you need wisdom to make a decision, our Father will help you. Just ask Him for the wisdom to make the right decision for you. (James 1:5)

Special note:

The most important decision is one for eternity. Choose today whom you will serve whether it is the devil or God. With the prince of darkness, there is physical and spiritual death. (Hebrews 2:14) With God, there is life and peace here and forevermore. (John 3:16, 3:36, 6:33, 17:3; Romans 6:23, 1 John 5:12) Please make the right decision and choose life for yourself. It really is a matter of life and death!



Copyright 2010 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.