Friday, February 10, 2023
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish~ but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:15-17
The Right Choice
Trying to make right decisions and choose the right direction can be very stressful, especially when it is a very important decision.
“In every action of life man is confronted with a choice; and he can never evade the choice.”
William Barclay
The last two days we have talked about the two paths in Matthew verses 13 and 14; the wide way and the narrow way, the wide way being the easier more destructive way and the narrow way being the harder, but more rewarding way. The choice of a gate is the choice of a way and the choice of an end. Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6
Many of us struggle trying to figure out what God wants us to do in specific situations. But much of what He desires for our lives is already revealed in the Bible.
Let’s take the Ten Commandments as an example. From the Ten Commandments we know that God does not want us to steal, kill, or lie. We know from the Ten Commandments that God wants us to worship Him and honor Him with our lives.
When we follow the 95% of God’s will that we know, the other 5% becomes easier to understand.
God loves us and is concerned about us and He has given us some basic commandments to follow. “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
God can be trusted even when we don’t understand all His dealings with mankind. We can trust Him even when we cannot trust the humans in our life.
· “If we are faithless (or untrustworthy), He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.” II Timothy. 2:13
· “God, who has called you into fellowship with his son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” I Corinthians. 1:9
· “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” I Corinthians. 10:13
· “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23
Hebrews 10:23
Are you willing to decide to come through Him? I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. John 10:7
How you know you are on "the way"? Are you on the right path? Look for these signs:
1. By the changes in your character?
2. By your daily self-denial?
3. By your desire for the things of Christ
4. By the few who go with you
Commitment is following the next revealed step of God for your life.
What is God calling you to? Is it a life change or is it time to be baptized, is it time to start witnessing, is it time to enter into service? Stepping out in obedient faith is hard but the joy and fulfillment of obedience is beyond compare. The cross is the gate to eternal life - discipleship is the way. You can preach it, point at it or stand by it, but until you enter it there is no reward.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Psalms 32:8
