Choice

July 4, 2018

John 3:16    "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." In this very famous verse we see that God chose us !  This was not easily or lightly. Look at the verse it says "He "GAVE" His only begotten Son". He had to make a choice to give away His son !  Could you make that choice to give your life or that of a loved one for God ? God did that for us ... and expects the same choice from us !

Acts 1:22    ":beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."       Here we can see that on the day when John was baptized He had to be a witness... WHO had to be a witness with us ?  The Holy Spirit ! He has made a choice to be with us as a witness for Jesus !

Deut. 14:2      "For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for Himself ..."  Once again we see where God has chosen us for Himself. From Genesis to Revelation, God continually chooses us for Himself. Even as we ignore Him, sin, and worship other gods and otherwise turn from Him. Again this is a choice God has made for us ...and He expects the same choice and dedication from us for Him !

Psalm 119:173       "Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts."  In this verse we see that the writer HAS made the choice for God ! One of the differences between God choosing us and us choosing God is God is perfect and we are not. However, when we fall God does expect us to continue to make the choice for Him every day ! That is what being a Christian is ... a daily decision to follow Jesus. NOT a one time choice to say a prayer and be done !

Isaiah  42:1       "Behold ! My Servant whom I uphold, My elect One in whom my soul delights ! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the gentiles."   Here God is speaking and when He says "My Servant whom I uphold.." Who is He speaking of ?   JESUS ! Here we see plainly that not only has God chose us for Himself but Jesus has made the choice to love God and to give Himself for us AND for the Father !

Romans 8:13      "For if you live according to the flesh you will die ; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."  This is scripture that is talking about the daily choice we must make to follow Jesus. If we try by the flesh we will die spiritually. However, if we live by the Spirit, that choice will put to death the deeds of the flesh and we will live spiritually !  The key here is we must choose DAILY to live by the Spirit and not by the flesh !

These scriptures, and many more, show that one of the keys to love is choice. Not just our choice, but the choice of God the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and us. All must make the choice to love. With this daily decision to love, the deeds of the flesh will die and we will live spiritually. We should celebrate every day that we have a God that loves us enough to give us a choice and a will to love Him ! God is good ... every day !