Make a Conscious Decision Between Life or Death
God saw fit to give each human freedom to choose the pathway of either eternal life or death. We all must choose actively or passively, whether we will prioritize spiritual matters over worldly concerns.
Flesh = Dark side
God’s Spirit = Light
These choices are illuminated in Proverbs Chapter 4, verses 18 and 19:
“18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.”
Jeremiah Chapter 3 and Chapter 5 shows characteristics of a wicked society living and stumbling in darkness:
*They don’t value the truth
*Don’t prioritize God’s word (therefore it doesn’t take root in their heart)
*Create and worship other gods
*Do things their own way
*Refuse to repent
*Lack of shame for evil actions
*Ungrateful for what God’s done and things he brought them out of
*Set bad example for others
*Forfeit many of God’s blessings
*Open themselves up to danger and death God wanted to protect them from
Conversely, Psalm 119 shows characteristics of those who choose to follow God’s path:
*They love truth
*Love and keep God’s word
*Hate false ways
*Have understanding
*Allow God’s word to show them the way to go (lamp to their feet, and a light to their path)
Galatians 6:8 makes it clear what the outcome is of each path/decision.
“8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
John 3:19-21 tells why many prefer darkness:
“19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
*Call to Action – We owe it to ourselves, loved ones and people influenced by us (we all have influence on others whether we realize it or not) to be honest with ourselves and make a conscious decision. This is outlined in Joshua 24:15:
“15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”