From the very beginning, our Lord God created a world of image‑bearers — people capable of choosing. Genesis 1:27 reads, “And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Choice is one of God’s greatest gifts, and we need to take advantage of this and grasp the opportunities He gives us.
God gave mankind the gift of choice from the start. He provided the first human couple, Adam and Eve, with everything they needed including life, a place to live, abundant food, meaningful work, direction…and choice. God’s servants have always had choice. Moses addressed the ancient nation of Israel before he passed away saying, “…I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your seed,” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Joshua, Moses’ successor in leading Israel, also warned the people before he passed away, saying, “choose for yourselves today whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.” (Joshua 24:15).
Ø Choice is not an accident of creation or a product of people evolving, it is by divine design. God wants willing hearts, not forced obedience.
God gives great blessings, we need to see them and choose to use them wisely. Adam and Eve lost the blessing of paradise in the Garden of Eden, by poor choices. They chose not to obey God’s command, and this choice brought ruin (Genesis chapter 3). The Bible teaches that our choices affect our own future, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8 where we learn that we reap (or harvest) what we sow (what we plant). God gives us amazing blessings in life, including marriage, family, work, time, influence, freedom, spiritual opportunities, etc., and if we include God in our decisions in life and choose Him, not only will we be pleasing to God, we will have easier lives and be at peace.
The good news is that we CAN choose well, and God honors righteous choices. The power God gives us to choose can heal and build. The Bible teaches that if we choose to trust God’s way, vice our own, we succeed. Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches, “Trust in Yahweh with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” This means that God is willing to get involved in our lives to make things better, if we will just choose Him and His way of thinking first. Unfortunately, many times people get this backward, promising to serve God if He will bless them first, the opposite of what the Bible show us. We can choose forgiveness over bitterness, purity over temptation, and obedience over convenience. We can choose God and others, before we choose self. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He responded with, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39).
An amazing fact about choice is that God has already chosen us, and is just waiting for us to choose Him. Ephesians 1:4 records, “ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him in love.” This verse doesn’t remove choice from a person, it merely points out that God had a plan even before He started creating the world, and wanted the people He created to comply with that plan and live faithfully. God wants us to choose Him, and over the thousands of years humanity has existed He has constantly been seeking our good choice to serve Him. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus Christ says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock”; we just need to choose to open the door and let Him into our lives.
Jesus Christ chose to overcome the difficulties of life and showed us the way to success. 1st Corinthians 11:1 commands the Christian to imitate Christ. Revelation 3:21 reveals that He overcame this world and was rewarded for it, and then He promised the same for Christians who do likewise. The fact is that we have the choice to overcome the temptations of life; we can do it with His help (Philippians 4:13), and He promises rewards when we do.
Ø God already chose: He doesn’t force Himself on anyone, He invites and waits.
Ø Choice is a beautiful gift, but also a great responsibility. Every single day we are choosing who we will become, what we will value, and whom we will serve.
Call to Action: So how can we faithfully embrace the gift of choice God gives us today? Start simple by making a small change in your routine. Wake up 10 minutes early and devote that time to studying God’s word (a little goes a long way!). Decide to put down your cell phone and spend some of that gift of time in prayer, giving thanks for God’s blessings and asking Him for help in choosing what to do with them. Choose to attend worship and have fellowship with other servants of Christ. Meditate on what you can do to help others, and remember that you have value…He already chose you, choose Him back today.
Please feel free to contact me for study or about any spiritual concern you may have.
Jeff Mullen
Minister, Blanco Hills Church
830-554-0701
blancohillschurch@gmail.com