A Life of Choosing

Aussie Pete said:

Many people are confused about the role that choosing has in the Christian life. Some seem to think that God just makes things happen without our knowledge or consent. They have a spectator mentality, waiting for God to force His will on them.

That is not God's way as the Bible clearly teaches. God's will shall be done and that is as certain as night follows day. But it's not automatic. God needs, by His own spiritual law, to gain the cooperation of men. Abraham obeyed God, Moses obeyed, the heroes of faith were (and are now) those who obey God.

Obedience requires us to choose. Agreeing with God is not choosing. It is possible to agree with God and yet do nothing about it. The root of sin is disobedience. It's not just an issue of not breaking commandments, it is a positive commitment to God's ways and God's will.

God's way is revealed in His Word. Psalm 25:12 summarises it perfectly:

"Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose."

"Fear" in this instance means a healthy respect. The people of Israel in the wilderness were afraid of God, but they did not take His Word seriously. The journey from Egypt to Canaan should have taken about 2 weeks. Instead, it took 40 years.

"Instruct". God does not treat us like robots. He instructs those who respect Him. If you are having trouble from God, check out your heart attitude.

"Choose". Yes, that word again. This goes against the fatalistic, "God is in control", kind of attitude that many have. God surely has a purpose for every born again Christian. How that works out in experience depends on what we choose to do with what God reveals to us.

Do you feel like your life is going nowhere? Do you have a vision for your life that is not coming to pass? Are you waiting for God? Maybe God is waiting for you - to choose.

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Aussie Pete said:

Many people are confused about the role that choosing has in the Christian life. Some seem to think that God just makes things happen without our knowledge or consent. They have a spectator mentality, waiting for God to force His will on them.

That is not God's way as the Bible clearly teaches. God's will shall be done and that is as certain as night follows day. But it's not automatic. God needs, by His own spiritual law, to gain the cooperation of men. Abraham obeyed God, Moses obeyed, the heroes of faith were (and are now) those who obey God.

Obedience requires us to choose. Agreeing with God is not choosing. It is possible to agree with God and yet do nothing about it. The root of sin is disobedience. It's not just an issue of not breaking commandments, it is a positive commitment to God's ways and God's will.

God's way is revealed in His Word. Psalm 25:12 summarises it perfectly:

"Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose."

"Fear" in this instance means a healthy respect. The people of Israel in the wilderness were afraid of God, but they did not take His Word seriously. The journey from Egypt to Canaan should have taken about 2 weeks. Instead, it took 40 years.

"Instruct". God does not treat us like robots. He instructs those who respect Him. If you are having trouble from God, check out your heart attitude.

"Choose". Yes, that word again. This goes against the fatalistic, "God is in control", kind of attitude that many have. God surely has a purpose for every born again Christian. How that works out in experience depends on what we choose to do with what God reveals to us.

Do you feel like your life is going nowhere? Do you have a vision for your life that is not coming to pass? Are you waiting for God? Maybe God is waiting for you - to choose.

Click to expand...

Aussie Pete said:

The problem with that thinking is not that it is wrong but that many people abdicate their personal responsibility before God and so delay God's will. For sure God will have His way. Will it take 2 weeks or 40 years? That's our responsibility.

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Aussie Pete said:

Absolutely. If we choose His will daily, the rest will work out. It has to be an active choosing, which is where many people come unstuck. I went through that stage myself. Then I wondered why I was making no progress in my Christian life. There is no autopilot.

My comments were directed to those who imagine that God takes control and does everything without us being involved. That is a deception.

Click to expand...

Aussie Pete said:

Absolutely. If we choose His will daily, the rest will work out. It has to be an active choosing, which is where many people come unstuck. I went through that stage myself. Then I wondered why I was making no progress in my Christian life. There is no autopilot.

My comments were directed to those who imagine that God takes control and does everything without us being involved. That is a deception.

Click to expand...