CHOICES: CHOOSE WHOM YOU WILL SERVE

                         CHOICES: CHOOSING WHOM YOU WILL SERVE
                                         

NEW BOOK COMING SOON

or SURRENDER to
 

“…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…Surrender your pride and power…” (Jeremiah 4:4  NLT).

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 “…Submit therefore to God…” (James 4:7 NLT).  “… I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38 KJV).  “….the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others …" (Matthew 20:28). “…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). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

“…Surrender your pride and power…” (Jeremiah 4:4  NLT). Surrender becomes necessary in a battle. Surrendering implies giving up or giving in to the winner. The winner takes control. “…So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide (or control your lives). Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other…” (Galatians 5 NLT).

Surrendering to God is similar to surrendering to the WINNER of a battle, but the DIFFERENCE is that YOU have a CHOICE of who to surrender to. “…The sinful nature wants to do evil … the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other…” (Galatians 5 NLT). “… Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants …. servants ye are … whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 KJV). “… I have set before you LIFE and death … therefore choose life …” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

“…The sinful nature … the Spirit … These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other…” (Galatians 5 NLT). From the beginning of time, the battle for mankind’s human will and their right to CHOOSE, apart from God, has been fought.

In the beginning, 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 MAN that was MADE in God’s “image” and “likeness” was the addition of his Spirit. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).   “…And the LORD God … breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Himself=SPIRIT)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “…The Spirit of God dwell[ed] … in … [the male and female]…” (Romans 8:9 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).

God’s Holy SPIRIT was “TOGETHER” in ONE “UNION” with mankind’s BODY and SOUL. “….God saw … it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

God created man “ALIVE” with a body, soul, AND his SPIRIT! “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV). “….Apart from Me (the Holy Spirit), you can do nothing (you can’t even be ALIVE)…” (John 15:5 NIV).“…The … Holy Spirit gives birth to… SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…It is the … [HOLY] … SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB)

AGAIN: “…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).

The created RELATIONSHIP between God and mankind was GOOD. “….It was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

ALL WAS WELL until mankind was presented with their FIRST CHOICE and the FIRST opportunity to use their human will. God SAID: “…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 came along, to offer another CHOICE, apart from God, and his choice was A LIE just like his LIES are TODAY. SATAN SAID:  “…ye shall not surely die.…” (Genesis 3:4-5 KJV).

 AND “…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).

The woman’s decision was MAJOR. Her decision was CATATROPHIC. Her decision ALTERED her path. Her decision KILLED her UNION with God. “… ONE sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

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

 “… [Their] … iniquities … [immediately] … separated [them]… from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…Every man (or woman) is tempted, when … [they are] … drawn away of his (or her) 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).

 THAT day “…Sin entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “…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). “… 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).

 “…The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” 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 …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

 “…So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).  

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

God told them “…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 separated from man destroying the “image” and “likeness.” “… [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 SEPARATED from mankind. “…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 problem with MAKING A CHOICE is that you become a SERVANT to whomever you, voluntarily and willfully, listen to or OBEY. “…you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? ….” (Romans 6:16 NLT).

Without the Holy SPIRIT mankind could ONLY serve, listen to, and OBEY the sinful nature. The fallen nature is completely under the POWER, domination, and dictatorship of SIN and SATAN. “… We know … the whole world lies under the power of the evil one…” (1 John 5:19 RSV).

Without the Holy Spirit, mankind still has a human will, but it is ONLY able to CHOOSE SIN. “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t….I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).  

“…Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law….” (1 John 3:4 NLT). Without the indwelling POWER of the Holy Spirit, mankind is unable to choose LIFE.

 “….…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by [my sin nature]?  …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).  “… I want to [choice LIFE) … [which]… is right, BUT I CAN’T… …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).“….Apart from [Jesus], [you]… can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

 “ … I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.  And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … within me …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “… We know … the whole world lies under the power of the evil one…” (1 John 5:19 RSV).

Therefore, “… Who will free me from this life that is dominated by [the LIMITED choices of my sinful nature]?  …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

You will surrender to and serve whomever you willfully CHOOSE to listen to and obey. . “…you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? ….” (Romans 6:16 NLT).

Adam and Eve surrendered everything over to SATAN. They actually GAVE up their FREE human will to him and SETTLED for an IMPRISONED will that could ONLY choose SIN. “… I want to [choice spiritual LIFE) … [which]… is right, BUT I CAN’T… …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).“….Apart from [the Holy Spirit], [they could]… do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

They surrendered voluntarily and willfully by accepting and yielding to SATAN’s will and CONTROL. “…you are slaves of the one whom you obey…” (Romans 6:16 NASB).

They surrendered voluntarily and willfully to his control, his thoughts, his suggestions, and his deeds. “…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 …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). “…So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).  “…Sin entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “…SIN IS the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).

SATAN became their MASTER and the MASTER of the generations that followed. “…Sin entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). NOW “ … the whole world lies under the power of the evil one…” (1 John 5:19 RSV).

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

What HAPPENED? 1. Mankind SURRENDERED their FREE human will to SATAN and could NOW “ONLY” choose SIN. “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

2. Mankind had human will, but it was NOW enslaved to SIN. “…I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … within me …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

3. Mankind had a connection to the Holy Spirit, but they were NOW separated by SIN. “…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). “… [their] … iniquities (sin) …separated [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).

4. Mankind was under the POWER of the Holy Spirit, but was NOW under the POWER of SATAN. “ … the whole world lies under the power of the evil one…” (1 John 5:19 RSV).

5. Mankind had LIFE, but had voluntarily and willfully CHOOSEN apart from God, which is SIN and ALWAYS results in DEATH. “…SIN IS the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).

6. Mankind had a RIGHT relationship with God, but now they didn’t. “…Your INIQUITIES (sin) have separated between you and your God …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).

7. Mankind needed to make an atonement with God for their sin, but didn’t have one that lasted. “…without shedding of blood is no remission… [for mankind’s sin] …” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV). “ … For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and  … it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul…” (Leviticus 17:11 KJV).

8. Mankind ONCE had a body, Spirit, and LIVING soul, but NOW they a body and a DEAD soul.  “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV).  God “….[makes you]… ALIVE with Christ … [because you]… were DEAD in transgressions…”

“… Who will free … [you] … from this life that is dominated by [the LIMITED choices of your sinful nature]?  …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

What and who can MAKE mankind WHOLE again? Who and what can return and restore 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).

“…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…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).

Therefore, “…God himself, 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).

God WANTED “YOU” back in UNION with him (the HOLY SPIRIT). 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 ….GAVE his only begotten (specially created) Son…” (John 3:16 KJV).   “…NOT that we loved God, but that HE LOVED US...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “….HE FIRST LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV).

 “…not that we loved God, but that he loved us and SENT HIS SON to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV). GOD “…SPARED NOT his own Son, but DELIVERED him up FOR US ALL…” (Romans 8:32 KJV). ^“…God SHOWED HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US by “SENDING” Christ to die for us WHILE we were still sinners…” (Romans 5:7-9 NLT). “…There is no GREATER LOVE than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT).

“…Since we’re free in the freedom of God, can we do anything that comes to mind? Hardly. You know well enough from your own experience that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom. Offer yourselves to sin, for instance, and it’s your last free act. But offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits. All your lives you’ve let sin tell you what to do. But thank God you’ve started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom!” (Romans 6:16-18 MSG).

After being SET FREE, surrender is STILL necessary in the battle between the sin nature and the new spiritual nature. These TWO FORCES are … [still] … constantly fighting each other…” (Galatians 5 NLT).

Surrendering STILL implies giving up or giving in to the winner. The winner takes control. “…So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide (or control your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other…” (Galatians 5 NLT).

Which nature you SURRENDER to is a voluntary and willful “FREE” CHOICE. “…The sinful nature wants to do evil … the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other…” (Galatians 5 NLT). However, “… Know … to whom ye yield yourselves servants …. servants ye are … whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 KJV).

“…The sinful nature … the Spirit … These TWO FORCES are … [STILL] … constantly fighting each other…” (Galatians 5 NLT). God has RESTORED the human will and your right to CHOOSE God’s WAY is NOW EMPOWERED by the INDWELLING Holy Spirit. “…If the Son…shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV). “…Surrender your pride and power…” (Jeremiah 4:4  NLT). “… I have set before you LIFE and death … therefore choose life …” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).