Our Choices Matter

Can we make bad choices and do things we should not do? Of course we can. Can we be rebellious and disobey God engaging in all manner of sin? Yes we can, and all too often we do. Can we surprise God? No we cannot. This is true whether we are believers or not. Scripture is clear that even those who are locked in stubborn rebellion, like Pharaoh, and those denying His existence are unwittingly led by God to execute His plan. Although they do not realize it, even those destined for eternal death, conform to God’s plan.

This does not justify their choices. If they refuse to repent they will ultimately pay an awful price for their willfulness. They do not choose Jesus, and life, as the Father would prefer because, in this, the Lord will not interfere with their free will. Nevertheless, He moves and leads them, so that they are never allowed to interfere with His plan of redemption.

Whether redeeming the Hebrews from the clutches of Pharaoh or a poor “down and out” sinner from the clutches of Satan, the Lord is in control. As I mentioned, even Satan, for all of his stubborn rebellion, ends up assisting God in carrying out His divine plan. No created being can frustrate God’s plan of redemption. And, if we are part of His elect, we also will conform to the Lord’s will in the end, even if we have to live for three days and nights in the belly of a fish (Jnh.1:17) before saying, “Yes, Lord”!

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. Deut. 30:19-20; NIV (italics mine).

Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy." Rev 22:11; NIV (italics mine).

God has given us free will so that we can choose good or evil and while He will try to persuade us to choose the good, He will not use His omnipotent power to override our choices.

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. Matt 5:44-45; NIV (italics mine).

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:48; NIV (italics mine).

"This, then, is how you should pray:

"'Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come,

your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 Forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.' Matt 6:9-13; NIV (italics mine).

If, therefore, we are one of God’s children choosing Jesus as our Savior, the Father will guide and discipline us as children so that we mature spiritually. If we harden our hearts in rebellion rejecting Jesus’ sacrifice and offer of redemption, He will not force us into obedience but knowing our nature and how we will react in every situation will so order events around us so that in spite of ourselves we will not interfere - but will unwittingly assist Him - in executing that plan to save others.