12/27/2018
Do you believe that you have discovered Jesus Christ based on some historical writings and empirical evidence? In fact your journey to Him has been carefully orchestrated by God the Father who has called you to Himself and His Son. You have been called, and drawn to Jesus by God, but once you find yourself at the door it is up to you to knock.
“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."”
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 ESV
Until we truly begin our journey of faith, we struggle with the fact that God work’s in our life. We fight Him tooth and nail for control of our lives and our destiny, but this is a futile struggle... God rules us whether we choose to acknowledge that fact or not. He draws us to Him in many ways, and as He does so we must make decisions which will determine the course of our spiritual, and physical lives... will we accept Him, and journey in His love, or will we deny Him, and live out a life destined for damnation. Neither of these outcomes are controlled by us... other than in our acknowledgment of God Himself, and the choices we make in faith.
“The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.”
Proverbs 16:4 ESV
When I was a young man and my wife was pregnant with our first child, I was fearful, and worried that I could raise and provide for a child; I was worried that I might not be a good father. I worked with an older gentleman and we had become close friends. So one day I told him of my fears. He began by assuring me that I could do this, and that I didn’t need to know everything about fatherhood yet. He said that I would grow as a father alongside my child who was growing to adulthood. Then he gave me a piece of wisdom... he told me about a doctor friend of his. He said, this man has identical twin sons, everything about them is the same, looks, intelligence, upbringing, religion, education... everything. Then he paused and said... one of these sons is a doctor like his father, and the other is in prison for the rest of his life. He let that sink in a minute before giving me this wisdom... “You give your children the best you have to offer, but there comes a point when they must stand on their own, and choose how they will use those things... Rich, if they choose wrong it is not your fault.” I have now raised my four children, and have thought about this for all those years. I still pray for my children every day, that they will remain firm in their faith to God, and that He will guide them in making the right choices, but I know that if they choose wrongly... I will have done everything I could do to give them the tools necessary to make the right decisions; just as God leads us to the right decisions... but then we alone must choose our path.
“Thus says the Lord: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'”
Jeremiah 6:16 ESV
I hear grown children blame their parents for their poor choices, the errant paths they have taken, or some other disillusionment they have with their life. This is the blame game of those who have failed to take control of your own life, and responsibility for their decisions. Your parents don’t live your life... you do, and the choices you make in it are yours. Our relationship with God is the same... He will lead us in life, but at every crossroads the choice is always ours... He is not to blame.
“When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord.”
Proverbs 19:3 ESV
God leads us to Jesus Christ, but the choice to accept Him, and to allow Him to abide in us, is ours alone. If you choose not to accept Jesus only you will face judgement for that, not your parents, or anyone else. God holds us accountable.
“for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
Romans 14:11-12 ESV
How good have your choices been? Have you been blaming God or others for your mistakes in life? Well, it’s time to take responsibility for your own decisions... ask God the Father to forgive you, ask others to forgive you too, and accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior. People may not choose to forgive you... that is their choice, but God will forgive you, and it is your choice to forgive all of them who have wronged you. Welcome this as a new day.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 ESV
“bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
Colossians 3:13 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for leading me to you and your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you for standing me at the door of my faith, for giving me the choice to knock, and for Jesus who greeted me there. Help me Lord to make the correct decisions when life gives me choices to make. Let me hear your Word, and the echo of your Holy Spirit’s teaching as I choose. If I should choose wrongly Father, give me the strength of character to accept responsibility for my transgressions, and the wherewithal not to blame you, or others, but to seek forgiveness for my actions, and to pray that you separate my sins from me. Holy Father I depend on you to be with me throughout my life; to place your Son Jesus Christ as my guide, and to provide your Holy Spirit as my comforter. Reveal your Word to me Lord, am make it my foundation. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, who watches as I make my choices in life and faith, and who, no matter the choice, leads me back to Him.
Rich Forbes