Into the Fire

“Choices” is a word adopted with “issues” sometime in the last few years. Giving people “choices” is meant to simplify what can be the very complex world of decision making, attitudes, outlooks, and the inevitable conduct that results from those “choices”.

Jesus liked to simplify things for us. He said, “You’re either for me or against me.” He also reminded people they couldn’t serve two masters because they would hate one and love the other. Then there was this thing about good and evil. How about being holy as opposed to being worldly? Dying to self or being self-centered? Being under the law or in the age of grace? Heaven or hell?

I’ve noticed that I can have a tendency to be cynical as opposed to hopeful. Cynicism is in direct contrast to all that is Christ-like. It looks at the downside of things and looks at them under a negative shadow. I don’t like to hear cynicism, so why should I want to spew it out for others to hear? Cynicism disputes the character of our Lord. Basically it says nothing really gets better, and then adds a clever twist of words to demonstrate that “fact”–if you’re good at it.

The truth is the world will not get well. Evil will have its full measure. The world will be destroyed and rebuilt. However, perfect love casts out fear giving us a choice of outlook. The Lord assures us He will never leave us or forsake us, so even in our worst case scenarios, He is with us. I don’t say that flippantly because some people have undergone torture, rape, and even murder in the Lord’s care. Our trials here on earth have been referred to as “light and momentary troubles” in the Word, but for some those “troubles” are huge and life altering. The point is we have the choice to view our life through His eyes or our own. We have the choice whether or not to accept His view or our own. Daily, sometimes by the minute, we can accept the lies of our enemy or the Truth of our Lord.

So, we have choices to make. Are we going to demonstrate the light or the darkness of the world? The salt or the bland, namby pamby, tolerate everything in this world and stand for nothing? We can speak the Truth in love even when it must be spoken strongly and with conviction. In our anger we can choose not to sin. We can use the language of the world, or we can speak with the subtlety but clarity of our Lord.

Dead in sin or born again? Contrasts. Choices. Whether or not you were 2 or 22 or 62 when you met the Lord, you changed. If that change has been watered down by the choices you’ve made, maybe it’s time to return to the simpler choices. “You’re either for me or against me.” Sometimes it’s no more complicated than that.

Dear God, help me to always be for you and never against you in my daily choices. I love you, Lord. You gave me real life. Let all that I say and do and write give you glory, praise, and honor, and show the gratitude I have for your rescue. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.