Choices

We can learn much from the biographies of Scripture. Consider Joshua. At the end of his life and leadership, he challenged the people of Israel, whom he had led in battle, and now was pointing the way to peace. We can read his challenge in Joshua 24:19-28. The elements of his challenge to Israel are a challenge to us today. He first pointed out that God demanded of His people complete and exclusive surrender – TO HIM. This is hard. Our self does not want to surrender. However, if we are to move forward with Him, He must have control.

Secondly, God gives to His people the responsibility to make the right choices. Some would try to tell us that the only real responsibility we have to make our own choice, to choose our own way. Our children often get this from schools, the television and videos, and their music. Nothing could be more destructive. While it is true that Christ sets us free, He does not free us so that we can return to the paths of rebellion. He sets us free so that we can choose to love, serve, and obey Him. He holds us accountable to make the RIGHT CHOICES.
 
Thirdly, remember that God always holds us accountable for the choices we make. Not all choices are equal. Not all choices have the same outcomes. Not all roads lead to heaven. Our Lord said the narrow path leads to life, while the broad path, the easy road, found by doing what we want, leads to destruction.
 
A couple of ideas are important as you move forward for Him. First, you cannot move forward in and for God unless the Spirit of God transforms our heart and mind. To see this accomplished, you must be His child, by faith in Christ, and you must be living His word. Doing this puts you in the place where His Spirit can change your heart and mind – our life. One other point – you must take our commitment to His as seriously as He does. It is easy today to think that God is like Burger King – you can have it your way. If you are God’s child, when you came to Him you bowed before Him in surrender. He takes that seriously. We must as well.
 
A day, a week, a month, a year – we dare not remain stagnant. We must move forward.