Make your Choice

Every day we face a multitude of decisions and choices. Most are mundane and we simply fall into patterns of habit and routine. I could choose to have Cornflakes or Rice Crispies for breakfast. But I have Rice Crispies because that's what I always do, and before the caffeine kicks in the fewer choices I need to make the better. But it wouldn't make any significant difference which cereal I was to choose, or whether I just had toast. Then every now and again a decision or choice comes along that comes into the 'life changing' category. I would include things like where to live, where to work, whether or not to marry and to whom as choices that fall into this category.

The people of Israel were faced with the most important of all decisions - were they going to choose to serve God or not (Joshua 24). And this was a decision that would impact the rest of their lives. A Christian is a person who is following Jesus, and has decided to serve God. But that is not a one off decision - it means that every decision and choice we face from that point on needs to be made in the light of the choice to serve God. That's why this might seem to some as an undesirable choice (verse 15) - because we all want the freedom to do what we want.

That is not to say that we need to pray about every decision. Certainly when making those life changing decisions we need to pray and be asking mature Christian friends and leaders for advice and help. At the other extreme I can still simply choose Rice Crispies for breakfast. But what about when someone cuts me up while driving home from doing the Christmas shopping - I have a split second to make my choice - do I angrily sound the horn, and shout at them (even though they can't hear) and allow my blood pressure to rise still further, or do I let it go (and maybe even pray that God will allow them to get home safely). When I hear that juicy piece of gossip at work do I quickly pass it on, or do I make the choice, 'this is going no further'.

Sometimes we will get it wrong but contrary to verse 19 we have a God who has promised to forgive us and give us a new start, when we confess our mistakes (1 John 1:9).

Have the Courage of you Convictions

When you make a decision or a choice, when you are asked for an opinion or what you think, do you respond with the courage of your convictions or are you swayed by other factors? Do you go by what you think is right or do you answer with the response that you think others want to hear. Are you influenced by peer pressure? Do you make choices at work based on getting promotion rather than what might be the right thing to do? Do you find it easier to simply go along with everyone else rather than stand out in the crowd?

Caleb had the courage of his convictions. And when he was asked his opinion he gave it even if that meant he was in the minority (Joshua 14:7). But even though he was in the minority he was right. And he was rewarded by God for the stand he took.

But do you even have any convictions? How are your convictions formed? The Christian should have their convictions based on the word of God, convictions which are shaped and formed over a life time of reading the Bible, spending time in prayer, and meeting with other Christians. But often we find that it is other influences in our lives that shape our convictions: our family background and upbringing, our culture, our friends, the programmes we watch on television... Pray that God will be shaping your convictions and that you will have the courage to act even if it means standing out from the crowd.

Choices, Consequences and Conclusions

Last week we thought about the God who chooses - this week we're looking at the fact that God gives us freewill and every day we have choices and decisions to make. Once we're a Christian we acknowledge that 'Jesus is Lord'. This means that we will want to do what God wants rather than what we want.

In the story of Jacob and Esau (we're looking at Genesis 27 this Sunday) some bad choices were made. We have already seen how Esau sold his birthright for a pot of stew - giving up the things that God had for him in favour of instant gratification. In this passage Isaac made some bad choices. Whereas Esau was careless, Isaac was senseless (sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste as well as common sense!). All his senses made him suspicious that something was not right but he went ahead with the blessing regardless - why not just call in one of the servants who could see properly and ask him or her how this was before him?

Making decisions and choices can be difficult, especially when we want to do what God wants. An older, more mature Christian once gave me the following advice. According, Advice, Able, Available, Activate. Is the thing you're thinking about in accordance with the Bible? Have you sought the advice of older more experienced Christians - who can not only talk with you but also pray with you and for you? Are you able to do it? (It is unlikely God is calling me to apply be a brain surgeon (even if I can dress the part)!) Are you available to do? (If you work 9-5 it is unlikely that God wants you to respond to the request for a helper for the toddler group which starts at 1pm - unless He is also asking you to change working hours or job). Finally does it activate you? (Sometimes when I am talking with people and they start to talk about what they think God might be wanting them to do they 'come alive'. Their face, body language, voice etc become so much more expressive and excited. It's like someone has turned on a switch.

God has promised to forgive us for our mistakes (1 John 1:9), but that is not the same thing as taking away the consequences. In the story of Jacob and Esau we might think that Rebekah and Jacob got away with their scheme. But the consequences of Rebekah's plan was that the son that she loved was sent away to stay with her brother and find a wife - she thought this would only be a short time until Esau calmed down. But it was to be for years and Rebekah was never to she her son Jacob again. That was quite a price to pay. God does forgive us but sometimes we have to deal with the consequences of our mistakes.

One of the amazing things about this story is how through all the human scheming, deception and lies God is still able to work out His promises and purposes. These characters made unwise and ungodly choices and yet still the ultimate plan of God is worked out. God is at work behind the scenes. When we look at our lives and wonder with everything that is going on 'where is God in all this?' we can take encouragement that God is working out His purposes (Romans 8:28) - it's just we don't have a clue what He's up to or why He's allowing it to happen this way!

Listen to this message from Pastor Keith from 28 October 2008.