Are you able to
make a wise choice about life, given the various options that are available to
you? Jesus reminds us that “Every kingdom
divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided
against itself will not stand." (Matthew 12:25, NIV) Unity and single-minded focus are important to
success. What do you really want? Are
you making the choices that are consistent with that professed desire? Or, are you wavering, with a mind that is
conflicted and confused, unable to move forward?
Elijah called the
leaders of Israel together for a show-down. Idolatry was rampant among people
who were professing to belong to the one true God. They claimed to worship the Lord, but they
also kept shrines to the local fertility gods. The prophet confronted them with a choice . “How long are you going to sit on the fence?
If God is the real God, follow him; if it’s Baal, follow him. Make up your
minds!” (1 Kings 18:21, The Message)
The Holy Spirit is
challenging Christians in the same way today. "Choose! Make up your minds. Come, follow me!" If we answer His call with a clear and
unequivocal, "Yes!" we will find great freedom and new direction for
life. The wondering and wandering will be over for us. Life will be purposeful.
There will be moments of stress, times when we may wonder if we have taken the
right way, but if we keep focused on Him, we will not fall or falter, for the
choice is made.
Jesus preached the
importance of choosing. He said, "If you are not on my side, you are
against me. If you don’t gather in the harvest with me, you scatter it. I tell
you that any sinful thing you do or say can be forgiven. Even if you speak
against the Son of Man, you can be forgiven. But if you speak against the Holy
Spirit, you can never be forgiven, either in this life or in the life to come.
A good tree produces only good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. You
can tell what a tree is like by the fruit it produces." (Matthew
12:30-33, CEV) It should sober us to
think that when we silence the voice of the Spirit when He calls us to
decision, the consequences can be eternal.
Are you living 'on
the fence?'
Are you miserable because you are trying to keep one foot in the things of this world and the other in the Kingdom of God?
Are you miserable because you are trying to keep one foot in the things of this world and the other in the Kingdom of God?
Not sure how to
answer those questions? Just look at
what is being produced in your life and by your actions. If there is love, joy, and peace in
abundance, the Spirit rules. If not, then Self reigns!
Choose! If you are not ready to make Him Lord of all,
then do not attempt to make Him Lord at all! He is a jealous God and will not
allow you to share your affections with other gods. Christianity practiced as a
Sunday hobby is terribly unsatisfying. Jesus as a sideline in life is just another
complication. People who just want an
insurance policy for eternity, who want to live now on their own terms while
trying to keep Heaven's door open when the last act is played, are playing an
impossible game. They cannot enjoy the
pleasures of this world nor do they know the joy of intimacy with God. James
says they are "unstable in all their
ways." They cannot enjoy anything because they are trying to own
everything.
If God is really God, then serve Him.
May the words of
Jesus compel us to choose Him as Lord of life. "Then another said, “I’m ready to follow you, Master, but first
excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.” Jesus said, “No
procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till
tomorrow. Seize the day.” (Luke 9:61-62, The Message)
______________________
Jesus Is Lord Of
All
All my possessions
And all my life,
Jesus is Lord of
all.
All my tomorrows,
all my past,
Jesus is Lord of
all.
King of kings,
Lord of lords,
Jesus is Lord of
all!
I've quit my
struggles,
Contentment at
last,
Jesus is Lord of
all.
All of my
conflicts,
All my thoughts,
Jesus is Lord of
all.
His love wins the
battles
I could not have
fought,
Jesus is Lord of
all.
All of my
longings,
All my dreams,
Jesus is Lord of
all.
All of my failures
His power redeems,
Jesus is Lord of
all.
King of kings,
Lord of lords,
Jesus is Lord of
all!
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