Finding Your Place: Open your heart to God’s truth

There has been a recent series of ads on Facebook, all dealing with the power of our choices.  The ads are all very similar:  On one side is a man who is well-muscled and physically fit, and the words "This is hard" across the top of the picture; on the other side is a picture of a man who is obviously overweight and unhealthy, with the words, "This is hard."  And then, along the bottom border, is the phrase, "Choose your hard."  The meaning is clear – 'You can choose the 'hard' of exercise and self-discipline and get a certain result, or you can choose the 'hard' of overeating and lack of exercise and get another result.  Both are 'hard' because one takes effort, and the other makes you miserable.  Life is hard, and the type of life you get is your choice! Your choices have the power to shape your life.

 

I often think of that series of ads because of the inherent truth – your life results from your choices!  Of course, there are accidents and outside influences, but for most of us, what we choose to do and how we choose to live determines the course of our lives!

 

You may not realize it, but that is a very 'Christian' way of thinking about your life and the practice of your faith. You can choose to ignore your faith and get very little from it, or you can choose to accept the Biblical teachings God has given us, allow them to shape your thoughts and actions, and experience the life that God has planned for you!

 

There is a passage in the Old Testament that can help us grasp the life-changing nature of true faith.  It states, "The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generation."  Exodus 4:6-7

 

The passage presents several dramatic truths that can make a real difference in our lives when we choose to accept them.

 

First, God is a loving and compassionate God who is slow to anger and quick to forgive.  This means we can live with the conviction that God loves us and wants to help us in this life!  He does not wish to punish us; rather, He desires to lift us and help us rebuild our lives when we fall.  Second, God values truth and righteousness.  The God who loves is a God who speaks the truth and can help us discern the truths that can shape our lives and avoid the lies and deceptions of our fallen world.  Finally, God is a just and righteous judge who fully intends to punish sin.  There is no justice if there is no judgment!  As the passage said earlier, God does not wish to punish anyone; His choice would be for us to turn from our sin, receive the forgiveness He so freely offers, and rebuild our lives.  But, when people resist Him, God will punish sin – it is inescapable!  Our sin brings suffering upon us and upon those we love most.

 

This, of course, is the message of grace.  God loves us and wants to forgive and bless us, but we will reap the whirlwind if we reject his leadership.  When we choose the 'hard' of personal responsibility and faith, we can live with joy. On the other hand, the 'hard' of rebellion and living apart from God's grace leads to a life of spiritual emptiness and separation from God's love.  It is our choice!

 

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Thank you for listening. We will see you next week!