"Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” - Joshua 24:14-15
Every person has a free will. Freedom to choose. Just like the people of Israel. And as a child of God, you are free to make choices. Agree so far? Good. But there is a catch. That catch is clarified in James chapter four.
"Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." James 4:17
Does that put a little different perspective on your choosing? It does me! We know what the two greatest commandments are, right? You might want to read Matthew 22:37-39 to refresh your memory. To know what to do and not do it - to choose something else - is sin. We can choose but there are consequences that come with our choices. When we know what the right thing to do is, and we choose do to otherwise - we sin. Jesus asked ...
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” - Luke 6:46-49
As you are aware, we have been teaching Experiencing God. Central to that study is the teaching of seven spiritual principles. Principle 4 is hearing God's voice - knowing what the right thing is. Principle 5 is a crisis of belief. Being confronted with a choice that requires faith and action on your part (choosing to obey). Principle 6 is making adjustments because of your choice. Changing course, if you will. Going in one direction and then choosing to go in another. That is an often used description of repentance. In the case of Joshua, the people had to choose whom they would serve. Just like we do. It is not a once and done choice. It is daily, minute by minute. To know the good to do ... (you can finish it)
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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