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CHOICES: MAKING A CHOICE
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“…therefore … [you]… choose …” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).
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Making a choice or decision is
something that most likely has to be made, on some level, big or small, every
single day of your life. What should I
wear to work? What should I eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Should I marry
him or her? What college should I attend? Should I go to a University in state
or out-of-state?
Minor choices or decisions are
made relatively quickly and are resolved based on routine or traditional
information, past experience, or one’s own or someone else’s expert knowledge
or skills. Major choices or decisions may require more strategies or
brainstorming
All minor or major choices and
decisions involve some effort or mental energy, but both types of
decision-making need to be approached with an established process in mind.
However, there are complex,
emergency, out-of-control, and ambituous choices and decisions that are
sometimes made under duress or some kind of time restraint. These kinds of
choices or decisions do NOT have the luxury of time or use of typical
strategical tactics.
So when “making a CHOICE” - whether
minor, major, or complex - what can a Godly process for, decision-making, be
for the believer?
The suggested Godly process
for decision-making is one that involves have a singled-focused standard, which is God’s Word.
For instance, when making a
decision to FORGIVE, what is the focused standard,
from God’s Word, that guides the
CHOICE to forgive? “… forgive, if
you have anything against anyone
…”
(Mark 11:25 NASB). “… First forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against…”
(Mark 11:25 NLT). “… Forgive
others, and you will be forgiven…”
(Luke 6:37 NASB).
The Godly process for decision-making
also involves evaluating all the
biblical options, from God’s Word,
before making a decision.
For instance, when making a
decision to FORGIVE, what are the
options, from God’s Word, that
aid in evaluating the CHOICE to forgive? “… If you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you…” (Matthew 6:14 NASB). “… if you do not forgive
others, then your Father will not forgive
your transgressions…” (Matthew 6:15 NLT). “… Then
the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his
entire debt. “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to
forgive your brothers and sisters from your
heart…” (Matthew 18:34-35 NLT).
“…
if
you do not forgive, neither
will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions…”
(Mark 11:26 NASB). “… forgive us
our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us…”
(Luke 11:4 NASB). “… if
he sins against you
seven times a day,
and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’
forgive him…”
(Luke 17:4 NASB). “… Be
kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in
Christ also has forgiven
you…” (Ephesians 4:32 NASB). “… Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the
Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others…”
(Colossians 3:13 NASB).
Making a CHOICE or DECISION using God’s word as a standard and evaluating the biblical
options involve selecting the best option conducive for the
situation at hand.
GOD’S
WORD: FORGIVE
OPTIONS:
1. Forgive and the Father will forgive you. 2. Don’t forgive and the Father
won’t forgive you. 3. Be kind, tenderhearted and forgive. 4. Make room by
showing mercy to those who offend you and forgive. 5. Forgive BECAUSE Christ
forgave you. “…THE WORDS THAT I
SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV).
Select one or all of the biblical
options when using the Godly process for decision-making. “…choose LIFE…”
(Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).
However, using God’s word as a
standard, evaluating biblical options, and making a wise selection is easier
when decision-making is simple, but more complex, risky, ambituious, or
pressured decisions are more challenging.
“…the
centurion was more persuaded by the
pilot and the captain of the ship than
by what was
being said by Paul…” (Acts 27:9-21 NASB).
For example, not only was the
centurion in Acts 27 persuaded to make a decision under duress, but the
majority had also reached a decision too.
“… the majority … [also] … reached a decision to put out to sea from there…” (Acts 27:12 NASB).
The Godly process is easily ignored when
decision-making is more complex and challenging. “…the centurion was more persuaded
by the pilot and
the captain of the ship than
by what was being said by Paul…” (Acts 27:9-21 NASB).
People tend to fall back on more routine,
tried, and traditional methods of decision-making when pressured. “…the
centurion was more persuaded by the
pilot and
the captain of the ship …” (Acts 27:9-21 NASB).
“…the
centurion was more persuaded …” (Acts 27:9-21 NASB). The
centurion was trying to decide whether to sail to another harbor or not. He
probably often based his nautical decisions on the experts or his OWN
experience and in the past these methods proved to be reliable. “…There is a way which seemeth right unto a man ...”
(Proverbs 14:20 KJV).
In addition, when the centurion compared
his dilemma with other ships that had been in the same situation, the outcome
may have been favorable. The favorable past may NOT be the favorable future. "…Behold, I will do something NEW, …it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it?…” (Isaiah
43:19-20 NASB). "… "Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare NEW
things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you..."
(Isaiah 42:9 NASB). “…Behold, “ALL”
THINGS are become NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
The centurion was under pressure to devise
a strategy which would aid him in making a decision to sail or stay where they
were. “… the majority reached a decision
to put out to sea from
there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest
and northwest, and spend the winter there
…” (Acts 27:13 NASB).
The centurion had many complex factors to
consider: ambituious winter weather, inadequate accommodations, safety, incommodious
provisions, shortage of material necessities, and the lack of comfort and conveniences
of the crew. “… the
harbor was not suitable for wintering, …”
(Acts 27:13 NASB).
In Christianity, Godly decision-making is
a spiritual process that is undergirded by God’s WORD. “… We can make
our plans, but the Lord (the WORD) determines our
steps…” (Proverbs 16:9 NLT). “…The steps of a good man are ordered
(directed) by the Lord (the WORD) …” (Psalms 37:23 KJV).
God’s WORD is selected as the STANDARD
that guides a CHOICE or DECISION among many other so-called established
standards or beliefs. “…THE WORDS THAT I
SPEAK unto you … they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). “… choose LIFE …” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).
When God’s WORD is selected as the STANDARD
that GUIDES decision-making it will be based on the biblical values, biblical
options, and the biblical beliefs that PERSUADE the one making the CHOICE or
DECISION. “…I know whom I have believed,
and am
persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him
against that day…” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).
Making a CHOICE or DECISION is the method
in which problems are solved. The centurion made a decision to sail to Crete
and thought it was an optimal, satisfactory, overall solution to the problem.
“… they
weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete…”
(Acts 27:13 NASB).
The majority of decision-making is
expert-based, experienced-based, or science-based, but NOT necessarily
spiritually-based. “….Don't put your
confidence in … people (not experts, the experienced, or scientist); there is no help
for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT).
People apply their most persuasion knowledge
to their decision-making process. “…the
centurion was more persuaded …” (Acts 27:9-21 NASB).
Some Christians, when pressured to make a
decision, will exercise FAITH rather than rely on established, human
approaches. . “…Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).
When God’s WORD is selected as the
STANDARD that GUIDES decision-making the OUTCOME, whatever it may be, is IN God’s
HANDS. “…I know whom I have believed, and
am
persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him
against that day…” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).
When God’s WORD is selected as the
STANDARD that GUIDES decision-making it becomes a spiritual work. “…It is God who works IN YOU TO
WILL and TO ACT (DO)…”
(Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
When making a CHOICE or DECISION becomes a
spiritual work the believer has surrendered the outcome to God and will be
EMPOWERED by God to have FAITH in his solution! “…be content with what you have,
because God has said “Never will I leave you; never
will I forsake you…”
(Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “God is [your] refuge
and strength, a
very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1 KJV).
Apostle Paul said, “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be
in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…”
Philippians 4:11-12 NIV). His secret,
“…I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV).
The spiritual work of
decision-making occurs when the outcome is committed to God. “…Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for
there will be no loss of life among
you, but only of the ship …‘Do not be afraid, …”
(Acts 27:22-25 NASB).
The spiritual work of
decision-making is entrusted to God, usually, in the face of uncertainty and
WITHOUT having control over the outcome. “…‘Do not be afraid … I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told…”
(Acts 27:22-25 NASB).
Even though God
promises ALL things will work together for good; most people are uncertain
whether they will benefit from trusting God or suffer harm. “..all things work together for GOOD to
them that LOVE
GOD, to them who are THE CALLED to his purpose”
(Romans 8:28 KJV).
“…there
will be no loss of life …”
(Acts 27:22-25 NASB). “….And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land…”
(Acts 27:44 NASB).
Completely TRUSTING God,
for the outcome of a decision, creates havoc on the human emotions, especially
when what is SEEN, with the eyes, doesn’t LOOK favorably. The
seamen’s HOPE died. “…from
then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned (gone)…”
(ACTS 27:14-19 NASB). God said: “…there
will be no loss of life …”
(Acts 27:22-25 NASB). AND “….they all were
brought safely to land…”
(Acts 27:44 NASB).
When “making a CHOICE” and God’s WORD becomes
the STANDARD in which you make that DECISION; you are CHOOSING to have FAITH in
God for the OUTCOME. “…The
testimony of the LORD is sure, making
wise the simple. …The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. … they
are righteous altogether …” (Psalm 19:7-11 NASB). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you … they ARE LIFE…”
(John 6:63 KJV). “… choose LIFE …” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him
against that day…” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).
CHOOSING to have FAITH
in God for the OUTCOME of a DECISION is to “…live by faith, not by sight….” (2 Corinthians 5:7
KJV). “…walk by faith...” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV).
WALKING BY FAITH,
especially indwelling faith, is the GUARANTEE that “all things”
will produce a FAVORABLE OUTCOME. “… [indwelling] …FAITH
IS the substance (guarantee)
of things hoped for…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “ … [indwelling] … FAITH IS …the evidence of things not seen…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “…ALL THINGS for which you pray and ask, BELIEVE (walk by
FAITH) THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED THEM, and they will be granted you…” (Mark 11:24 NASB). “…Jesus said unto him, If THOU CANST BELIEVE (walk by FAITH), all
things are possible to him that believeth
(walk by FAITH)…” (Mark 9:23 KJV). “… all
things work together for GOOD to
them that LOVE
GOD, to them who are THE CALLED to his purpose”
(Romans 8:28 KJV).
A FAVORABLE OUTCOME is a guaranteed RESULT
of “WALKING BY FAITH.” “ … [indwelling] … FAITH
IS …the evidence of things not seen…”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
“TRUSTING the OUTCOME to GOD,” and “making a CHOICE” by using GOD’S WORD as
a STANDARD is the substance of things hoped for. “… [indwelling] …FAITH IS the substance (guarantee) of things hoped for…” (Hebrews 11:1
KJV). “…walk by faith...” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV). “…Trust in the Lord with all thine heart …” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “… choose LIFE …” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you … they ARE
LIFE…” (John
6:63 KJV). “…I … am persuaded
that he is able to keep …” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).
In Hebrews 11 we see the FAVORABLE
OUTCOMES of having FAITH in God for the OUTCOME. Especially, after making a
DECISION based on CHOOSING his WORD as a STANDARD and being empowered, by the
indwelling Holy Spirit, to walk by FAITH. “…FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, and hearing by the word of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV).
BY FAITH we understand …
BY FAITH …Abel brought …
BY FAITH …Enoch was taken up…
BY FAITH …Noah BUILT …
BY HIS FAITH Noah CONDEMNED. …
BY FAITH …Abraham obeyed …
he lived
there BY FAITH—
BY FAITH …SARAH WAS
ABLE TO HAVE
A CHILD…
BY FAITH …THE
PEOPLE OF ISRAEL WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE RED
SEA
BY FAITH …the people of Israel MARCHED AROUND JERICHO FOR SEVEN DAYS…
BY FAITH these
people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received
what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness
was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put
whole armies to flight. Women received their loved
ones back again from death….” (Hebrews 11:1-35
NLT).
“…I will
show you MY FAITH by my deeds (conduct, actions,
mannerisms, transformation, etc.)...” (JAMES 2:18 NIV).
“… BY FAITH we understand that THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE WAS FORMED at God’s command,
that what we now see (the universe) did not come from anything that can be seen
(the Holy Spirit).
It was
BY FAITH that Abel brought A MORE ACCEPTABLE
OFFERING than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a
righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long
dead, he still speaks to us by HIS
EXAMPLE OF FAITH.
It was
BY FAITH that Enoch was TAKEN UP TO HEAVEN
WITHOUT DYING—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For
before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.
And it is impossible to please
God without faith.
Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he
rewards those who sincerely seek him.
It was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT to save his family from the flood.
He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. BY HIS FAITH Noah CONDEMNED THE REST OF THE WORLD, and
he received the righteousness that comes by faith.
It was BY FAITH that Abraham obeyed when God
called him to LEAVE
HOME AND GO TO ANOTHER LAND that God would give him as his
inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached
the land God promised him, he lived
there BY FAITH—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did
Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham
was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city
designed and built by God.
It was BY FAITH that even SARAH WAS ABLE TO
HAVE A CHILD, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that
God would keep his promise.
And so a whole nation came from this one man
who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in
the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.
It was BY FAITH that ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC as a
sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises,
was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told
him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”
Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back
to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.
It was BY FAITH that Isaac PROMISED BLESSINGS
FOR THE FUTURE TO HIS SONS, Jacob and Esau.
It was BY FAITH that Jacob, when he was old
and dying, BLESSED
EACH OF JOSEPH’S SONS AND BOWED IN WORSHIP AS HE LEANED ON HIS STAFF.
It was BY FAITH that Joseph, when he was
about to die, said confidently that THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL WOULD LEAVE EGYPT. He even
commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.
It was BY FAITH that Moses’ parents HID HIM FOR THREE
MONTHS when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual
child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.
It was BY FAITH that Moses, when he grew up, REFUSED TO BE
CALLED THE SON OF PHARAOH’S DAUGHTER. He chose to share the
oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.
He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than
to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.
It was BY FAITH that Moses LEFT THE LAND OF
EGYPT, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because
he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.
It was BY FAITH that Moses COMMANDED THE
PEOPLE OF ISRAEL TO KEEP THE PASSOVER and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts
so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.
It was BY FAITH that the people of Israel WENT RIGHT THROUGH
THE RED SEA as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians
tried to follow, they were all drowned.
It was BY FAITH that the people of Israel MARCHED AROUND
JERICHO FOR SEVEN DAYS, and the walls came crashing down.
It was BY FAITH that Rahab the prostitute WAS NOT DESTROYED
with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a
friendly welcome to the spies.
HOW MUCH MORE DO I NEED TO SAY? It would take too long to recount
THE STORIES OF FAITH of Gideon,
Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.
BY FAITH these people overthrew
kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They
shut the mouths of lions, quenched
the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness
was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to
flight. Women received their loved ones back again from
death….” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).
CHOOSING to have FAITH in God for the OUTCOME
of a DECISION is to “…live
by faith, not
by sight….” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV).
WALKING BY FAITH, especially indwelling faith,
is the GUARANTEE that “all
things” will produce a FAVORABLE
OUTCOME. “… all
things work together for GOOD to
them that LOVE
GOD, to them who are THE CALLED to his purpose”
(Romans 8:28 KJV).
A
FAVORABLE OUTCOME is a guaranteed RESULT of “WALKING BY FAITH.” “… [indwelling] …FAITH IS the substance (guarantee) of things hoped for…”
…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
When “making a CHOICE” and God’s WORD IS
the STANDARD in which you make that DECISION; you are CHOOSING to have FAITH in
God for the OUTCOME. “…THE WORDS THAT I
SPEAK unto you … they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). “… choose LIFE …” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).
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