I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations.(Psalm 119:30) There is a choice on the part of the believer that has to be made. Unless we make that choice, we cannot see God.
Back in the ‘80’s, there was a big campaign by Nancy Reagan called “Just Say No to Drugs.” It was based on personal choice and personal responsibility.
The liberals did nothing but make fun of it. Their idea was that we cannot choose to be good or bad. we need government committees and councils and programs to show us the way to go.
Somehow the idea of individual initiative has gone by the wayside in modern day America. The rugged self-reliance is slowly being replaced by government handouts.
It is the same in Christianity. It is God who draws us and we cannot come to him of our own volition. But it is not done against our wills. We have to say yes to God and accept him. We have to choose his way and turn our backs on the way of evil. We have to choose the Lord. We are not alone in the choice, but it must be ours.
Titus 2:11-13 says For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
The New International Version says in verse 12, It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions.
There is a choice we make in serving God. He will not drag us kicking and screaming into heaven. It must be our choice.
But we recognize that the choice is two sided. We cannot go to see him under our own power, but it must be done with him.
It is his power that we choose.
As Joshua said in Joshua 24:15: But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.
The liberals who came against Nancy Reagans’ program of personal choice and responsibility were both wrong and fools. We can say no without the government helping us. And we can choose God in our lives.
Just say yes to God and choose him.
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