The Power of Choice

One of the greatest gifts God has given humanity is the power of choice. Every day, we make decisions that either align with God's Word or move us away from it. As Believers in Christ Jesus, the issue is not merely whether we commit an obvious sin, but whether we choose to obey what God has revealed to us through His Word and by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle James addresses this very issue:

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17)

Most Christians understand what are commonly called sins of commission—the things we do that are clearly forbidden by God's Word. However, Scripture also teaches about sins of omission—failing to do the good things God has commanded us to do.

Sins of Commission and Sins of Omission

There are two ways a person can miss God's will:

Sins of Commission

  • Doing what God has forbidden.
  • Lying, gossiping, stealing, adultery, hatred, and other acts that violate God's commands.

Sins of Omission

  • Failing to do what God has instructed.
  • Refusing to forgive.
  • Neglecting to help someone in need when God prompts us.
  • Remaining silent when we should speak truth.
  • Ignoring the leading of the Holy Spirit.

James reminds us that knowledge brings accountability. Once God has revealed truth to our hearts, we are responsible for how we respond to it. To whom much is given, much is required.

The Role of Choice and Conscience

The power of choice is deeply biblical. True freedom is not the freedom to sin; it is the freedom to choose obedience.

God's Word establishes what is right, and the Holy Spirit faithfully leads us into that truth. When the Holy Spirit prompts us to act—to encourage someone, to pray, to forgive, to give, or to take a step of faith—we have a choice. We can either yield to His leading or resist it.

Ignoring what God has made known to us is not a neutral decision. It is choosing our will over His.

Bent Toward Certain Things

We all recognize that people often seem "bent" toward particular sins or weaknesses. For some, it may be lying. For others, gossip, sexual temptation, pride, anger, jealousy, or even the desire to see others fail.

The reality is that every person has areas where the sin nature seeks to exert influence. Left to ourselves, we cannot overcome these things by willpower, self-effort, religious activity, or determination.

This is where the Cross of Christ becomes central.

The Cross Is the Means of Victory

The answer to sin is not found in human resolve but in what Jesus Christ accomplished at Calvary.

When our Faith is properly placed in the finished work of Christ—His Death, Burial, and Resurrection—the Holy Spirit is able to work effectively in our lives. He empowers us to overcome those things that once dominated us.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2)

The Holy Spirit does not work independently of the Cross. Everything He does in the life of the Believer is made possible because of what Christ accomplished there. The victory over sin, the power to obey, the strength to endure temptation, and the ability to walk in righteousness all flow from the finished work of Christ.

If our Faith is misplaced—resting in our own efforts, religious performance, or self-discipline—we will experience continual frustration and failure. But when our Faith rests in Christ and Him crucified, the Holy Spirit is free to work within us, producing the life and character of Christ.

Choosing God's Way

Every day we are presented with choices. Some involve avoiding things God has forbidden. Others involve doing the good things He has called us to do.

The question is not simply, "What am I doing wrong?" It is also, "Am I doing what God has asked me to do?"

The power of choice is not found in exercising our own will independently of God. The power of choice is found in yielding ourselves to Him, trusting in the finished work of Christ, and allowing the Holy Spirit to produce obedience in our lives.

As Believers, we are not called merely to avoid sin; we are called to walk in Faith, trusting Christ, obeying His Word, and responding to the leading of the Holy Spirit. In doing so, we discover that true freedom is not the liberty to do as we please, but the grace-enabled ability to do as God desires.

I understand what it means to be bent toward certain things. I know what it is to struggle. But I have also experienced the faithfulness of God and the power of the Holy Spirit working through the finished work of Christ. Freedom is not found in self-effort but in keeping our Faith anchored in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished for us at the Cross.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

To See His Face

You know, this life can deal us an affair hand. It can seem so unfair even to us that believe. As some of you know we recently moved from Virginia to Georgia. I loved Virginia, and I didn’t want to move. This move seems to be nothing but problems. I registered the kids for school, and Dorrien has had a hard time adjusting. No matter what we do, it’s seems like we can’t get ahead. I had to take Dorrien to the emergency room, and I recently found out that I have an iron deficiency – low iron count. Sometimes I just don’t understand why things happen to me. I do understand that time and chance happen to us all; that’s what the Word of God tells us – He has forewarned us. But what I don’t understand is why it’s back to back to back. It’s like I can’t catch my breath from one battle to the next. It’s like as soon as I bandage wounds from one fight another one has already started. Today, I got the chance to watch this movie my mom said I should check out months ago. I tried t...
Read more

The Message of the Cross: The Beginning of Wisdom and the Path to Spiritual Insight

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the Power of God." — 1 Corinthians 1:18 "But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God." — 1 Corinthians 1:24 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom; all who follow His instructions have good insight." — Psalm 111:10 As I was reading Psalm 111:10 and reflecting on Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1, a beautiful connection began to emerge. If the preaching of the Message of the Cross is the manifestation of the Power of God and the Wisdom of God, could it be said that the Message of the Cross is the Wisdom of God and the starting point for understanding and following the Lord's instructions? I believe the answer is yes. When we connect these passages together, we discover a clear spiritual progression that reveals how God brings His children into Wisdom, obedience, and sp...
Read more

Do You Fear Hell Enough??

Do You Fear Hell? There are some people that believe that just being “good” is going to grant them entrance into Heaven. A lot of people think just because they attend church every time the doors are opened that they are going to Heaven. But what these people don’t realized or do not acknowledge is that being good and/or going to church doesn’t make you a Child of God. It is good to be a “good” person and to attend church (Hebrews 10:25 - 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching), but if there is still sin, habitual sin, in your life, you are not going to Heaven. Let me make this simple and plain so that it is easily understood; if you are not doing the Word of God, loves what He loves and hate what He hates, you are going to Hell. The Word of God says that when Jesus comes back He will be looking for those who look like Him. Jesus did the Will of the Father, His Word! There...
Read more

Light Rejected!

Studying again in the book of Ezekiel , I’ve been reflecting on how the Holy Spirit, through the prophet, spoke of the destruction of Assyria and Egypt . In my reading of the Swaggart Commentary , considerable time is devoted to these nations—nations that had direct dealings with Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem . They had opportunity to know who the true God—the God of Israel—was, yet they rejected Him. The Pharaohs began to declare themselves gods. They continued in idol worship. Though they were given light, they chose darkness. And when light is rejected, eventually light is removed . As I considered this, my thoughts turned to America . We were once a great beacon of God’s light—spreading the Word of God throughout our nation and across the world. But look at where we are now. We are in a very dark place. We were given much light, yet that light has grown dim. Not only as a nation, but even within many churches, God’s light—His Word, His way—has been rejected. And God’s way is Jes...
Read more

Progression in the Holy Spirit

In Ezekiel 47:1-5 (AMP) states: Then he [my guide] brought me back to the door of the house [the temple of the LORD]; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house (temple) toward the east, for the front of the temple was facing east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar. 2 Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate by the way of the gate that faces east. And behold, water was spurting out from the south side [of the gate]. 3 When the man went out toward the east with a measuring line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he led me through the water, water that was ankle-deep. 4 Again he measured a thousand [cubits] and led me through the water, water that was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand [cubits] and led me through the water, water reaching the hips. 5 Again he measured a thousand [cubits]; and it was a river that I cou...
Read more

Refocus!

Well praise the Lord. The first month of this New Year is about gone. Many of us have set goals, reaching for new opportunities and are making changes to better our lives. I have set health and fitness goals to eat better and tone this year. But so many times we focus on the outside, and we forget about the inside. Yes eating healthy is good for my inside, but I’m talking about our hearts, our spirit man. Fitness has never been a problem for me; I love my workouts and do them every day. I couldn’t say this about “feeding my spirit”. So I have set a goal of reading more of the Word of God and giving Him more of my time. We all get busy with life. We have our families, jobs, businesses, school, groups and clubs. We busy ourselves with so much stuff, but never slow down and give God the time He so greatly deserves. We want Him to be there when we need Him, but won’t even tarry with Him an hour. I am guilty of this. He wants to spend time with us, but we’re too busy. Take t...
Read more