Choices (2)

The Power Of Choice

Life is about making choices. Some choices as we saw last week are more important than others. Every choice however, has its consequence. God has given us the power and freedom to make choices but you see, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions. Sometimes simple choices when repeated become patterns that form character. We are usually in control before we make choices but sometimes once choices are made, those choices then control us. Eventually our choices go a long way in determining our successes or failures in different aspects of our lives.

Moses’ charge to Israel

As the Israelites got to the end of their wilderness sojourn, Moses spoke to them in Deuteronomy 30 and he repeatedly talked about their choices:

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster…Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”

Deuteronomy 30:15, 19 New Living Translation

I come across many people who say “Pastor, I had no choice!” Many others attempt to shift the responsibility to others by saying “so and so made me do this” and a final card people pull out is “it was the devil!” Poor old devil takes the blame. And in so doing, people shirk the responsibility of the choices they make. You must remember that God has given you the power to choose and He expects you to exercise your choice wisely. In the words of Moses: choose life!

Reuben, Simeon and Levi

Genesis 49 records Jacob’s final address to his sons in which we read his declaration concerning his 3 oldest sons: 

“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength, the child of my vigorous youth. You are first in rank and first in power. But you are as unruly as a flood, and you will be first no longer. For you went to bed with my wife; you defiled my marriage couch. Simeon and Levi are two of a kind; their weapons are instruments of violence…for in their anger they murdered men, and they crippled oxen just for sport. A curse on their anger, for it is fierce; a curse on their wrath, for it is cruel. I will scatter them among the descendants of Jacob; I will disperse them throughout Israel”

Genesis 49:3-7 New Living Translation

Reuben was the first son but he lost the blessing and prestige that should have come to him with his position in the order of the birth of his father's sons. This was the consequence of a choice that Reuben had made several years earlier-he had slept with his father’s concubine (Genesis 35:22). Simeon and Levi were the next 2 sons but they really did not fare any better. Earlier in their lives motivated by anger and a desire for revenge, they killed not only their sister’s rapist but also his father and the men of the city (Genesis 34). All 3-Reuben, Simeon and Levi were paying for the choices they had made long before.

Jesus and the 2 criminals

Luke’s detailed account of the crucifixion of our Lord tells of 2 criminals who were also executed along with Jesus. At that point each had a choice on what to make of those moments-they were in their final moments on earth. One chose to mock the Lord while the other made a choice to commit himself to God’s mercy. Right there on the cross, Jesus assured the repentant criminal of his acceptance based on the choice he had made (Luke 23:39-43).

What choices are you making? Are you making the right choices? Do you simply drift through life not taking responsibility for your actions or inactions? Remember that our choices are powerful so we cannot afford to make wrong ones. I encourage you today: make the right choices.

To be continued…