The power to choose is one of the basic privileges given by God to a human being.
No other created being has this right. Animals do not have the power to choose. Perhaps angels at one time had the power to choose, but they no longer have this ability.
God has given the human race the ability to choose and by doing so, He has given every human being the ability to chart his own destiny.
Let’s analyze how important the power to choose is in our daily life.
First of all, you have to make a decision to believe the words that God has spoken, whether it is through the written Word or by a human being.
Notice what Thomas said in John 20:25: “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD.
But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe,” (KJV).
It is not that he could not believe; it is a matter that he would not believe. Before you can have faith in God, you must set your will to believe what He said is true over and above all contrary evidence that is presented to you.
Sometimes people say, “I just cannot believe that.” Yes, you can believe anything you hear. It is just that you will only believe certain things. By expanding your will to believe God and His Word, you can take the level of your faith to a new level.
There are times that the word of God is directly opposed to what people say. That is the time to set your will to stay on God’s side and believe Him.
As for me and my house, we have set our will to believe God over and above our dearest friends, the most skillful physician, the news anchor and the local banker.
Secondly, Paul decided to stay longer on the earth, instead of going to heaven. He decided this while he was in a Roman prison with an execution hanging over his head. The Roman Government may have thought that Pa
ul’s life was in their hands, to do as they pleased.
The fact is that Paul made a choice to live and not die, regardless of what Rome said he could or could not do.
Notice what Paul said in Philippians 1:22-25: “As long as I’m alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I’d choose. Hard choice!
The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it’s better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as
your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues,” (The Message).
It is obvious that Paul had learned the God-given power to choose, causing him to escape execution and live longer.
In the Old Testament, the Lord gave the nation of Israel a choice between life and death as well as blessing and cursing.
Deuteronomy 30:19: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live,” (KJV).
Did you know that life and blessing are neither
products of your geographical location nor the forth
coming by the luck of the draw or by some lucky star.
According to Lord of the Bible, life and Blessing are offered to you by the Lord and you must exercise your power to choose to be benefitted by what the Lord has offered you.
If you do not exercise the power to choose, then by default you will attract death and the curse to you.
Why don’t you begin to say “As for me and my house, we choose life and blessing”
John Huizing is pastor at Family of Faith Church. He and other members of the Red Deer Ministerial Association share their personal views on Sundays and Mondays in Red Deer LIFE and Central Alberta LIFE, and encourage comments and questions from readers. These can be sent to LIFE.