Friday, November 25, 2005

Choices



Choices…One of the more important aspects of human existence. Freedom is one such choice we make. Upon awakening, we choose “Will this be a good or a not-so-good day?” The freedom to choose brings liberty and a fuller enjoyment of life.

We all have had “inner bondages” to one degree or another. The author, for one, lived a double life for many years. I suffered from what I call the “Duck Syndrome.” On the surface everything appeared calm, but underneath I was peddling like hell to stay afloat. Who was it that said “I have faced the enemy, and it is I.”

Unfortunately, these below the surface turmoil’s restrict a person’s freedom; as well as limiting their joy. One of Satan’s favorite ploys is to steal a person’s joy. He loves to snuff out our inner glow. BUT HE HAS NO RIGHT!

To the degree we allow, we are often haunted by fears of long past inappropriate behaviors and actions. God’s Word however reminds us that “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and a sound mind.”

Jesus Christ came to give us both spiritual freedom from sin, and inward emotional freedom according to John 8:32. “He that is free is free indeed.”

Also, Galatians 5:1 states in part: “… and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” This clearly indicates that the truth of Christ not only sets us free, but can, and will keep us free.

As believer’s, let’s look for a minute at how we received our salvation? By first placing our faith in Jesus (Romans 10:17). Believing in our hearts and confessing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). Finally, in obedience we became baptized in accordance with Acts 2:38.

To live a Christian life, we have to continually choose faith and trust. Faith in that which we have not yet seen, and trust in what is yet to come. As we daily read his Word, his spirit liberates us…his choice.

Life always presents challenges, sometimes more than we can handle. This is why, I believe, that God rises up certain people to buffet our pain. Has God sent this special one into your life? He can, and will, if you choose to ask him to.

Trials and afflictions arise, and our personal battles must be fought. It seems, for many, that life is binding and restrictive. Does this really need be so? I THINK NOT! As does God. In Luke 4:18 Jesus stated: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hat anointed me to preach the gospel…to preach deliverance to the captives…”

Faith in God and choosing to apply biblical principals brings freedom in ours, and the lives of those we touch. What freshness in truth and love the Lord desires for us – His kids. As we choose to enjoy life, many of our disappointments and sorrows are turned into joy. Many of our personal woes will simply melt away the more we yield to his loving spirit. As we deliberately and willfully trust God in our circumstances, he will cause a freeing effect in our lives.

God so desires to teach us the value of forgiveness, and the liberation which ensues. In choosing to forgive, maximum results of freedom will result. As we place our total trust in his hands, freedom naturally occurs. Why get up tight about anything once we give it over to the Lord? He doesn’t want us choosing to take it back once it is his. Once we give it to him, we are free to serve him wholly.

Continual choices along this line will bring about long overdue victory and freedom…which is ours for the asking. Only then will we realize the full potential of freedom in Christ. We then become “rooted and grounded,” (Ephesians 3:17), “rightly dividing his Word,” (2 Timothy 2:15), and “settled,” (Colossians 1:23), there is no hesitation to do God’s will. It becomes a lifestyle and a first choice every time.


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