Tag Archives: Choice

When God Gives You a Warning (Part 2) – Consequences of Ignoring a Warning

28 Wednesday Oct 2015

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If you have ever taken the moment to conduct self-reflection, you may have pondered the many aspects of your life that involved a bad decision and its outcome. Perhaps someone warned you not to do or even say something that would ultimately be to your detriment. In haste and blatant defiance, you do the very opposite of what someone suggested that you don’t.

During your period of reflection, you may feel a sense of regret over your life’s choices. All of us can attest to a time in which we were warned not to do something and yet, in our own pride we bypassed a word of wisdom and reason. The consequences of doing so usually meant an unpleasant experience or even a negative impact relating to your life as a whole.

The fact is that when we are warned of a matter and we ignore a heed to avoid a calamity, there will always be a negative consequence. Some believe that by taking a risk and sticking to what is believed to be the best route, that nothing bad will happen. However, more often than not, the decision to ignore a warning results in the reception of a calamity.

In the book of Jeremiah chapter 25, we can see that the prophet Jeremiah is once again speaking to the people of Judah. As mentioned in the previous blog post, Jeremiah along with other prophets had been tasked with telling the nation of Judah to repent and turn from their sinful ways. As the scripture says in verse 4, the prophets who were assigned to relay God’s message, did so over and over again.

In verses 4-6, Jeremiah tells the people of Judah that they have essentially ignored the many messages that were given by the prophets. However, the consequences of such ignorance is displayed in the next few verses of chapter 25.

Verses 7-9:

(NLT) ““But you would not listen to me,” says the Lord. “You made me furious by worshiping idols you made with your own hands, bringing on yourselves all the disasters you now suffer. And now the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Because you have not listened to me, I will gather together all the armies of the north under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, whom I have appointed as my deputy. I will bring them all against this land and its people and against the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy you and make you an object of horror and contempt and a ruin forever.”

In the above verses, God’s message to the people of Judah is clear in that, because of their disobedience, their land would be utterly destroyed. The people of Judah had committed many forms of idolatry in addition to living in rebellion. Essentially, the fate that the nation of Judah suffered was that of destruction at the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar’s military which later resulted in the people of Judah being held captive by the Babylonians for 70 years according to verse 11.

The point is that, the people of Judah not only ignored the many warnings that God had given, but they eventually experienced negative repercussions as a result of it. Whenever God sends a person to warn or relay His message, those who do not obey will always suffer from negative consequences.

This is why our global society is constantly in a state of confusion and degradation. It is because of the rebelliousness and sinful ways of humanity that our world groans. Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again so that we could be saved from condemnation. In addition to this, God has a standard of Holy living which is predicated upon our obedience unto Him.

When we are obedient and we choose to reject our sinful nature, we are then in the safety of God’s parameters. Satan does not want those who are in sin to understand that wickedness contributes to being in a place of vulnerability. When you are outside of the will of God, you are then open to anything that can and will happen. However, when your life is submitted unto God in obedience, you are no longer vulnerable but you are held in God’s safety.

To ignore a warning is not only unwise but it is allowing your human pride to lead the way to destruction. In our sinful nature, we are all prideful. Pride is what signifies self-sufficiency. It is the mentality that one knows best. Secular humanism does not give credence to God nor does it honor Him. Instead, the secular humanist believes that we as humans are our own god.

However, when a person adheres to this philosophy, the warnings that God gives to us daily are ignored and eventually it leads to a destructive end. Just like the people of Judah were held captive by the Babylonians and also destroyed, the world around us today is showing the same signs of destruction and captivity.

One example of captivity has to do with the growing issue of drug abuse. In America, and even around the world, there is a growing number of cases in which drugs are openly used and abused. Those who fall in that category are captive to the demonic force which satan has deployed. Despite all of the calls for strict drug laws and a reformation of our world system, the fact is that without God, we as humans are left in captivity.

As far as destruction is concerned, we can see the very element of our family structure being destroyed daily. It is because of the choice to embrace homosexuality and even ‘changing your gender’ that we are continuing to see a decline in God’s original order. Even heterosexual couples are seeing the negative effects of divorce for a myriad of reasons.

However, the key is that many warnings have been given over time for humanity to repent and turn back to God. Many prophets, evangelists, and pastors have given God’s Word to the masses for decades. Yet, many choose to ignore the Word of the Lord. With such ignorance, there are consequences. The violence and the eruption of chaos we see is directly tied to the rebellion and choice to ignore God’s warnings.

What is the solution to all of this? The solution is to adhere to God’s warnings by submitting yourself to Jesus Christ. If you don’t know Jesus in the pardon of your sins, God has made a way for you to escape His wrath. God wants to have fellowship with you through Christ, but it can only occur when you have accepted Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. Then you must repent of your sins and turn from your wickedness.

For those of us who are in Christ, we must also be aware that we are not immune to God’s judgment. God desires that we too are obedient and heed His warnings. God loves humanity, because if He did not, then we would not be warned before a looming disaster. Those who are wise and those who are willing will accept God’s warning and turn to Him in repentance.

The Sovereignty of God

22 Wednesday Jul 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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When you look at nations that have a considerable amount of power, they are considered to be ‘sovereign nations.’ America, Russia, China, and India are a few of the nations in our world that are of sizeable populations, and they have influence within their specific regions of the world. What makes a nation ‘sovereign?’ For one, a nation must have some sort of authority to maintain self-sufficiency apart from the overwhelming interference of others. Secondly, a nation that is sovereign is one that can enact authority within its own parameters meaning that the nation can govern itself.

It is the concept of sovereignty that incorporates the idea of supremacy. However, when you look at every nation that considers itself to be ‘sovereign’ in the worldly sense, there isn’t a nation on Earth that is completely supreme in its existence. Sovereignty may include the realm of being able to self-govern, but even in our past and current history of humanity there have been organizations (NATO, The U.N.) that have established buffers against complete sovereignty. There is only one who reigns supreme over all and that is God Himself.

God’s sovereignty far outweighs what is considered to be sovereign in our world. While the definition of the word has some traits that apply to God, the difference is that God is supreme above every entity that humanity has put into place. In the book of Romans Chapter 9, the sovereignty of God is expressed by the Apostle Paul.

In this scripture, the Apostle Paul explains how God chose Israel, and the fact that God’s choice of those within the line of the Israelites was not always understandable from the human point of view. Paul makes mention of his Jewish heritage in verse 3. He goes on in verses 4-10 to say that within the line that God chose (from Abraham up until Jesus Christ) there were those who were not considered to be ‘children of God.’ You can view the full scripture here.

Paul’s point in those verses was that God’s purpose was carried out regardless of who was in the Israelite lineage. Just because someone was a descendant of Abraham for example, did not mean that they were a child of God which meant that God used those who were not necessarily in a relationship with Him. It was only those who were children of God’s promise who were considered, ‘children of God.’ Paul even mentions the birth of Issac through Sarah and Abraham in verse 10. Issac later married Rebekah and had twins. Notice what Paul says in verses 11-12:

(NLT) “But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes; he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.) She was told, “Your older son will serve your younger son.”

Verses 13-16:

(NLT) “In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.” Are we saying, then, that God was unfair? Of course not! For God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.”

What Paul is truly saying is that God will use anyone and shows mercy to anyone that He chooses. The sovereignty of God involves His supremacy but also His selective will to do what He desires or to use anyone He desires. To the mind of someone who is looking through human understanding, the question of fairness may be raised as Paul asserts. He asks, “Are we saying that God was unfair?” This question was asked in reference to Jacob and Esau. It was God’s will that Esau give up his birthright to Jacob rather than Esau the eldest keeping what was by birthing order, rightfully his. In the mind of most, this would seem unfair, but in God’s mind it was purposeful.

In verses 17-18, Paul even uses the example of Pharoah in Egypt. During the time of Moses, Pharoah was a corrupt and cruel leader who held the Israelites in bondage. Scripture also points to Pharoah’s heart being hardened by God. However, it was in God’s plan to use Pharoah to show the glory of God despite what seemed like a precarious and horrid situation for the Israelites.

Paul’s point is made clear in verses 18-19:

(NLT) “So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen. Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?”

Not only does God choose to give mercy to those He desires, but He also decides who He will choose in terms of the hardening of the heart. Again, Paul asks what seems like a question asked in our humanity. However, Paul gives further explanation:

(NLT) “No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this? ”When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into?”

The most important point to be made is that humanity is not in control. God has the power and the sovereignty to choose who and what He desires to use and to do so for the purposes of His will. So many have asked questions about tragedies that occur daily, and how the most evil human beings could exist. The truth is, that no one but God Himself has the answer to such questions.

In the mind of God, He knows what is best because He is God. It is also true that God can and does use what we think to be uncomfortable situations to bring glory to Himself, and to bring a better ending result within our lives. Who are we to question God in His supreme wisdom? There are many who are atheist and others who do not believe in God, who feel as though they have all of the answers. There are even those who blame God for all of the sinfulness and tragedies that occur. However, we who are the creation, do not have a right to tell the creator what to do.

As humans, we are to submit unto a Holy God and understand His Holiness and reverence Him based on who He is. The problem is that in our sinful nature, we are prideful. So, to most who are operating in sin, they are unwilling to even fathom the art of submission or obedience unto an authority, especially one that they cannot see. However, the sovereignty of God is immutable regardless of whether one chooses to believe or not.

Paul continues in verses 22-23 by saying:

(NLT) “In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.”

The great thing about God is that He is patient. Even in our sin, He still waits for us to choose Him and to forsake our pride. Ultimately, God wants His purposes to be accomplished which will give Him glory. In turn, when we are obedient and follow Him, His glory is manifested in our lives making life more enjoyable.

Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins. If you don’t know Jesus Christ in the confession of your sins, you have an opportunity to know the God of grace, patience and mercy. Accept Christ, and see God’s will be made perfect in your life.

The Choice is Yours – Your God Given Opportunity

10 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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Vending machines have been in existence for quite some time. They are machines that offer the opportunity to choose from an assortment of items.  Generally speaking, these are items to be consumed and enjoyed by the participating customer. The history and concept of the vending machine go as far back as ancient Greece in which a mathematician by the name of Hero, invented a machine to dispense holy water in Egyptian temples. You can read about the full history of the vending machine here. The great thing about the concept and existence of vending machines is that they offer to each user a choice. What you choose to purchase, is completely in your hands.

In addition to being able to choose from a variety of products, God has given each human the opportunity and ability to choose their path in life. This path involves the most important decision that anyone can make, and that is to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior. The other part of the choice we have been given is to remain in our sinful nature by serving the will of our flesh.

In the book of Joshua Chapter 24, there is an account of a man named Joshua, who was the chosen leader after the death of Moses.  He was given the responsibility of leading the people of Israel to the Promised Land. In chapter 24, Joshua asks the tribes of Israel and Shechem to assemble so that he can give them God’s message and instruction. In verse 2, Joshua says:

(NIV) “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods.” 

Notice that God makes a statement of the Israelite’s ancestors who were worshiping other gods. Based on the lineage of the Israelites, there were those who were committing idolatry by turning away from the one and True God to serve other gods. In verses 3-4 Joshua continues by saying:

(NIV) “But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac, and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I assigned the hill country of Seir to Esau, but Jacob and his family went down to Egypt.” 

If you read further through the verses of 5-13, you will see that there were many accounts of God’s faithfulness to the people of Israel.  It was because of the obedience and allegiance unto God by individuals such as Abraham, Moses and even those after, that God spared and rescued the Israelites out of peril. In verses 5-13, God spoke through Joshua making it clear that it was because of the Israelite’s obedience, that they had experienced favor with God.

However, notice what Joshua says in verses 14-15:

(NIV) “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Why does Joshua tell the Israelites to throw away the gods of their ancestors? In verse 23, Joshua says, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” Basically, this is pointing to the fact that at some point, the Israelites began to worship the same gods that their ancestors did, which was blatant idolatry. Joshua gives a warning of what will happen if the Israelites choose not to be in full allegiance unto God:

Verse 20:

(NIV) “If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.” 

The whole point of this scripture is to show that the Israelites were given two options. They could choose to worship God only and forsake their idols, or they could revert to the actions of their ancestors by engaging in idol worship. As Joshua said in this passage of scripture, there would be consequences for choosing other gods.  However, the alternative to following after the God of Israel was a continued hand of favor from God as they had experienced in their years of battle against their enemies. However, Joshua also uses a pivotal phrase in verse 15 which says, “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”

The thing about God is that He has and continues to give humanity a choice. This is akin to having free-will which is to say that we can choose what we will do and who we will serve. The reason why God allowed humanity to have free-will was so that we would freely choose Him as Lord, over any other god. A love that is demanded or forced is not true love and does not encompass the act of free-will.  God desires that we choose Him over the desires of our flesh.

For example, in the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam & Eve a choice. That choice was to obey His commands or to eat of the fruit on the tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil.  They were given a choice so that they themselves would freely choose to love God or to embrace sin. That is the same opportunity that you and I have today.  Like a vending machine, we all have choices in life.  We can choose to live in our sin and reject God’s love, or we can choose to embrace God and experience His love.

The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:9, that God wishes that no man would perish.  It isn’t God’s will that you and I experience eternal damnation in Hell.  Instead, God offered an alternative in the person of Jesus Christ, to redeem humanity. Many have and will continue to reject this gift of life, but it will be a choice that is made. It does not negate the opportunity for redemption, but it only means that the path to living in disobedience and sin has been chosen.

Of course, because you are still alive, there is an opportunity to choose God through Jesus Christ. The Bible also says in Romans 1:20 the following:

(NIV) “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

This scripture means, that the evidence of God and His love is all around us. You can see His existence in the nature that was made by Him and not by man. You can see God, even in the very air that we breathe which is supplied by God Himself. There are many signs that God has made available to us, which means that in the end we will not have an excuse for choosing other gods to worship instead of the one and True God.

The fact is that God desires to know you and to be known. Just as Joshua gave the Israelites an option, God gives us an option.  The majority of the world will choose satan and the ways of the flesh. However, there will be those that will choose Christ and salvation. Will you be one those that choose Jesus Christ? If you haven’t accepted Christ as your Lord & Savior, you have an opportunity. Life becomes more joyous and orderly when you are in relationship with Jesus Christ.  The choice is yours. Choose who you will serve today.