CHOICES: CHOOSING LIFE

                                                          

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CHOICES: CHOOSING LIFE

“… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore…[you]… choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).

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 CHOOSING LIFE is - first of all - to choose to be restored to the original, created state of mankind, which makes him or her WHOLE again. “…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).

CHOOSING LIFE includes the indwelling Spirit that enables the CHOOSER to perform spiritual functions and motions again. “…the Spirit of God dwell[s] in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…God … worketh in [you]… both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).

CHOOSING LIFE MAKES mankind WHOLE again and RESTORES them to God, the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT? “…God is Spirit…” (John 4:24 NIV). “…the Spirit of God dwell[s] in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).

CHOOSING LIFE returns mankind BACK to God’s original, created “image” and “likeness” that was ONCE so VERY good? “….LET US MAKE man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…in his OWN image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “….God saw every thing he had made……and, behold, it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

However, “… ONE sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB). “… [They] … separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (Body) … [but] … the breath of life (Spirit) … [separated] … and man became a … [dead] … soul (Soul) …” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV).  

“…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…ALL HAVE SINNED and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23). “…Your INIQUITIES (sin) have separated between you and your God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…It’s YOUR SINS that have cut you off from God. …” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT). Thus, “…without … [the] … shedding of blood … [there] … is no remission … [of sin] …” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV). “ … Christ [had to die]…. for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us … [back] … to God …” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 KJV).  “…He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV). “ … Christ [had to die]…. for sins ONCE for all, but made … [YOU] … ALIVE in the spirit…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).  

“…THERE ARE THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father (GOD), the Word (JESUS), and the Holy Ghost (POWER): and THESE THREE ARE ONE.…” (1 JOHN 5:6-8 KJV). “… I and my Father are ONE…” (John 10:30 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…Now the Lord is that Spirit … [too]…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).

“…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “ … [YOU are] …. made ALIVE in the spirit…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).   “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…Now the Lord is that Spirit … [too]…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is in YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  “… the Father (GOD), the Word (JESUS), and the Holy Ghost (POWER): and THESE THREE ARE ONE.…” (1 JOHN 5:6-8 KJV).

CHOOSING LIFE begins with CHOOSING JESUS. “…Jesus saith…I am THE … life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “… He who has the Son has the life …” (1 John 5:12 NASB).

CHOOSING JESUS imparts LIFE into the CHOOSER. “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…God has given [you] his Spirit as PROOF that [you]… live (are ALIVE) in him and he [dwells]… in [you]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB).

CHOOSING LIFE restores the WHOLENESS of body, SPIRIT, and soul. “…The God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together … [again]—spirit, soul, and body …” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG).

“…the Lord is that Spirit …” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is in YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). Therefore, “…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “…If any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… [because] … all things are … [MADE] … NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…I will put a new spirit in you…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…the Lord is that Spirit …” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).

You may exist. You have physical life and you may be breathing air, but the BODY without the Spirit/LIFE is DEAD. “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV). “….Apart from Me (Jesus/LIFE), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

CHOOSING LIFE is to CHOOSE to RECEIVE the infusion of God’s Spirit with YOUR body and soul. “…God is Spirit…” (John 4:24 NIV). “…the body without (apart from the Holy Spirit) the spirit is dead!!!…” (James 2:26 KJV). “…God … makes …you holy and whole, … [and] … put you together … [again]—spirit, soul, and body …” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG). “…he that is joined unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [with him and God]…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).“…. old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

CHOOSING LIFE is CHOOSING WHOLENESS through the POWER and GIFT of SALVATION. “….the gospel of Christ …. is the power of God unto SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH…” (Romans 1:16 KJV). “…BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “….Jesus Christ maketh thee WHOLE…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).

CHOOSING LIFE is CHOOSING GOD, who is the SOURCE of LIFE from the very beginning. “… [God] ….breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “…the … Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE of [it]… all…” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “… BREATH ENTERED THEM …I HAVE DONE IT, declares the Lord…’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV). “… [THE BONES] …came to LIFE and STOOD UP on their feet—a vast army …’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV).

In the beginning mankind was created to be in an uninterrupted UNION with God through his Holy Spirit and it was a CENTRAL part of his very nature. One day God commanded, “….LET US MAKE man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…in his OWN image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

The PART of mankind that was MADE in God’s “image” and “likeness was called LIFE or SPIRIT. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).   Thus, “….after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…in his OWN image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV).

Thus, “…man (woman) became a living soul …” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “….God saw every thing he had made……and, behold, it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

The PRESENCE of God, his Holy SPIRIT, was IN uninterrupted UNION with man’s BODY and SOUL. The BODY and SOUL was spiritually ALIVE!!  “….God saw … it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

Thus man was originally created with a body, soul, and his SPIRIT! However, “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV). “….Apart from Me (the Holy SPIRIT), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

AGAIN: “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “….God saw … it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

When the body, Spirit, and soul was together, in the original UNION with God; God said: “….IT was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

To KEEP it “very good” God talked to the man and woman about some relationship conditions. “…Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: BUT of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil THOU SHALT NOT EAT OF IT …[or] … thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

However Satan, the murderer and liar, came along to contradict those relationship conditions, and they were ALL “LIES.”  “…ye shall not surely die.…” (Genesis 3:4-5 KJV).

Nevertheless, “…The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

Satan committed spiritual MURDER! Adam and Eve DIED and lost their LIFE. “…He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies…” (John 8:44 NASB).

“… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore…[you]… choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).

“…she took (chose) some of the fruit and ate it. …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). It KILLED their good UNION with God. Remember, in the beginning, “….God saw … it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV). However, “… ONE sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

“…She took (chose) some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

At “THAT” very moment “they” DIED as God HAD said. … Thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

 Mankind SEPARATED from the HOLY SPIRIT or LIFE. “… [Their] … iniquities … [immediately] … separated [them]… from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…Every man (or woman) is tempted, when … [they are] … drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it BRINGETH FORTH SIN: and sin, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT).

 “…At that moment their eyes were opened… [AND] …Sin entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV & Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). “…SIN IS the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).

 “…God asked the woman, “What have you done?” (Genesis 3:7-13 NLT). “…it “was” very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV). But, “… ONE sinner destroy[ed] … MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB). “… [They were] …separated … from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). They were NOW “…DEAD in trespasses and sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). “…Through … [Adam and Eve] … sin entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). NOW “…All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23).

IMMEDIATELY, Adam, Eve, and ALL of mankind became “…separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV).

God SAID: “…in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). “…At that moment their eyes were opened…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).  “… [They] … separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV).

The Holy Spirit, who is LIFE, separated from mankind. “… [Their] … iniquities …separated [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…God asked the woman, “What have you done?” (Genesis 3:7-13 NLT). “… ONE sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

God, the INDWELLING Holy Spirit and LIFE SEPARATED from mankind and the “image” and “likeness” of God was detached. “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (Body) … [but] … the breath of life (Spirit) … [separated] … and man became a … [dead] … soul (Soul) …” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV).  “… MUCH GOOD … [destroyed]…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

What can MAKE mankind WHOLE again? What can RESTORE mankind to God, the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT again? CHOOSING LIFE.  “…Jesus saith…I am THE … life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “… He who has the Son has the life …” (1 John 5:12 NASB).“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).

Can CHOOSING LIFE return mankind BACK to God’s original, created “image” and “likeness?”  “….LET US MAKE man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…in his OWN image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “…I will restore…” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV).  

The ANSWER is YES. God is a “…restorer of thy life…” (Ruth 4:15 KJV).  “…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “…If any man be in Christ, he (she) is a NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… [because] … all things are … [MADE] … NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…I will put a new spirit in you…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT).

“…May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body …” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG). “….He restoreth my soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT).

Because of his GREAT love for you; God WANTED “YOU” back in UNION with him again through his indwelling HOLY SPIRIT). “…Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV). Thus, “... God so loved the world, that HE GAVE his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life…” (John 3:16 KJV). God “…spared not his own Son, [from suffering,] but delivered him up for us all?” (Romans 8:32 KJV). ^“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great LOVE FOR US by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners…” (Romans 5:6-8 NLT).

“….He restoreth my soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…The LORD God … [sent forth the Spirit of] … his … [son into your heart;]… the breath of life and man became a living soul … [again] …” (Galatians 4:6 NASB & GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to… SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).

“…We were dead in our transgressions … [God] … MADE US alive together with Christ …” (Ephesians 2:5, 16 NASB). Like the prodigal son, “… [YOU (were]…. DEAD and [you have been made]… ALIVE AGAIN; [you were]… lost and [have been]… found…” (Luke 15:24 NIV).

The physically alive, but spiritually DEAD and unrestored soul expresses, vividly, the sinful nature without the indwelling Spirit. “…The sin of my SOUL…” (Micah 6:7 KJV). “….When you follow the desires of your sinful (unrestored) nature, the results are very clear (vivid): sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life WILL NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. …” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).

However, “God, through the GIFT of Salvation restores the DEAD soul from the power, effects, and consequences of SIN, “…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV). “…The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the SOUL…” (Psalm 19 NASB). “IN” Christ you are restored and made “ALIVE AGAIN.” (Luke 15:24 NIV).

“IN” Christ MEANS you have CHOSEN LIFE and are CONNECTED with God, again, through the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…I am the vine, you are the branches…” (John 15:1-11 NASB). “…abide in me, and I in you…” (John 15:4 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The Lord is that Spirit…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…He that is joined unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [with him and God]…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me…” (John 15:4 KJV).

 “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “……God made you ALIVE with Christ. He forgave [you]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). “…. old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).  “…by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). “…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV).

Again, you may EXIST. You may be physically ALIVE and you may be BREATHING, but you can ONLY have LIFE through the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV). “….Apart from Me (the Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

God is the ONLY one who can RESTORE LIFE to you. “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “…Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou… Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory … [life,]… and beauty …” (Job 40:9-10 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to… SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT). “….Apart from Me (the Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

The indwelling Holy Spirit is the PROOF that YOUR soul has been MADE “ALIVE” again. “… The Spirit Himself testifies … [within us] … that we are children of God…” (Romans 8:16 NASB). “…God … worketh in you …” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). 

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul…” (Psalms 23 KJV).

“… [YOU (were]…. DEAD and [you have been made]… ALIVE AGAIN…” (Luke 15:24 NIV). God the “…restorer of thy life…” (Ruth 4:15 KJV).

. “…The … [indwelling] … Holy Spirit gives birth to… SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT). “….Apart from … [the Holy Spirit] … you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…I will restore…” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV).  

“…It is the … [indwelling HOLY] … SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB) “….He … [alone] …restoreth my soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT).

Spiritual LIFE is distinguishable from physical LIFE ALONE in that it includes the indwelling Spirit which EMPOWERS individuals with distinctive features reserved ONLY for those who are truly ALIVE in Christ. “…God has given [you] his Spirit as PROOF that [you]… live (are alive) in him and he [dwells]…in [you]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT). “…Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

Spiritual LIFE is about being ALIVE again the way God originally created mankind to be truly ALIVE. “… he that is joined  unto the LORD is ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “… God made you ALIVE with Christ …” (Colossians 2:13 NIV).

Spiritual LIFE is about a NEW WAY of LIVING or having a different LIFESTYLE. “… Jesus saith…I am the way … and the life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).

CHOOSING LIFE is choosing experiences that seeds, produces, grows, and reveals the existence of an individual’s transcendent indwelling nature. “… choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).  AND “…be conformed to the image of His Son…” (Romans 8:29 KJV).

CHOOSING LIFE means to CHOOSE GOD and the blessings of his favor (intentional grace and love), his fellowship, his ways, the guidance of his indwelling Spirit, and his many gifts ABOVE all other CHOICES. “… choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).  

CHOOSING LIFE is the ONLY way to experience wholesomeness again. “… Jesus saith…I am … the life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).

If one does NOT CHOOSE LIFE they have NO ONE to BLAME, but themselves. “…HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, because HE HATH NOT BELIEVED (choose LIFE) in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And …” (John 3:18-20 KJV).

CHOOSING LIFE is CHOOSING God’s values, God’s words, and God’s standards which aid in shaping character, defining purpose, producing spiritual fruit, promoting growth, directing lifestyle, and preparing one for the future. “… Jesus saith…I am … the life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…be conformed to the image of His Son…” (Romans 8:29 KJV).

CHOOSING LIFE is to SELECT God’s WAY above all other ways. “…‘We’ve given up everything to follow you…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).

CHOOSING LIFE involves an act, preference, or determination of the will. “…I must be about my Father's business?” (Luke 2:49 KJV). “…I desire to do your will, my God…” (Psalms 40:8 KJV). “…I have come to do your will, my God…'" (Hebrews 10:7, 9 KJV). “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV).

CHOOSING LIFE is to MAKE it a REALITY by practicing its options. “…I carry out my Father’s work…” (John 10:37 NLT). “… as the Father gave me commandments, even so I do…” (John 14:31 KJV). “…I must be about my Father's business?” (Luke 2:49 KJV). “…I will show you MY FAITH by my deeds...” (JAMES 2:18 NIV).

CHOOSING LIFE is to single it out among ALL other options and TAKE it for yourself as the BEST, most suitable, and most valuable CHOICE. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore … [you] … choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).