Grace and Truth – The Power of Choice

The greatest power which God has given to humanity is the power of choice. The power of choice determines our destiny. Our eternal destiny was not decided for us by a sovereign God; rather, the sovereign God has given us the power to choose for ourselves. It has been well saying, “God voted for us, the devil voted against us, and we will cast the winning ballot.”

God gave us a free-will.

Our free will is the choice of our heart to make decisions for ourselves. Jesus said, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens his heart, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20) The door of which Jesus speaks is the door of our heart. God gave us the power to choose whether we will answer His knock at the door of our hearts. We must decide because God refuses to force us to do His will.  

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5) The words translated “set their minds” include both our thoughts and affections. We think about it because we choose to think about it. We choose to think about it because we love it. “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7) We usually think with our heads, but this verse speaks of thinking with our hearts. 

Why would a sovereign God give mankind a free-will?

Without the power of choice, we would only be sophisticated machines. It is the power of choice which makes us human. Without the power of choice, many of the things we consider human would not be possible.

1. LOVE – Love is a choice of the heart. Without the power of choice, love is impossible. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) This is the great commandment. Love that is demanded is not loved but slavery.
2. JOY – We are as happy as we choose to be. Happiness is not determined by our circumstances, but by our choice. There are many happy people who are experiencing difficult situations. They are happy because they choose to be happy.
3. WORSHIP – Worship is a choice of our will. We were created to worship, and we will worship something; everyone does. If we do not choose to worship the true God, we will worship idols. 

“And if it seems evil to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15) Joshua challenged the people to make the right choice and serve God.

The power of choice includes the power of rejection.

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that you and your descendants may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19) God’s great gamble was giving mankind a free will. Would mankind make the right choice? Would mankind respond to God’s great love? This was Satan’s argument against Job. Satan argued, “Job doesn’t love you; Job loves himself.”  

The power of choice gives us the ability to hate. It is impossible to be able to love unless we also have the ability to hate. “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized (by John).” (Luke 7:30) God didn’t reject them, they rejected the will of God for themselves. God loved them so much He gave them two great opportunities: the ministry of John the Baptist, and the ministry of Jesus. They rejected both.

The same ability God gave us to open the door also gives us the power to close it. “Jesus answered them and said, ‘My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. (John 7:16-17) We should make our main objective in life “to will to do His will.” God is wiser than we are. His way is the best way.

Jesus is knocking at our heart’s door. Every generation is given the choice of opening the door to Jesus. “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed in Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” (John 8:31) Let us choose to abide in Jesus. The choice is ours.

Let us open wide the door of our heart to King Jesus!