Decisions

We make dozens of decisions every day. Some are important, and some are not. Some are known to others, and some are not. Some may be costly, and some are not. Good decisions which affect others will make you look good to your friends. Bad decisions make you look bad in the eyes of just about everybody. Of all these decisions, which will be remembered clearly by everyone? It isn’t fair, but the good decisions are easily forgotten, but the bad decisions are remembered for ever, or so it seems.

There is another problem with decisions. I think we will all agree that we make good and bad ones on a regular basis, but hopefully there will be a balance and not all one sided. However, you will probably know some folks who consistently make good decisions. They are in the minority, but are looked up to because that’s what makes for integrity. However, on the other hand, we all will know those ones who mostly seem to be making bad decisions, but even more importantly there are those who will suffer directly because of these decisions.

One swallow might not make a summer, but a wrong decision can have a serious and lasting impact on those on the receiving end. In a few weeks, I will be having knee surgery, and I hope the surgeon has a day of good decisions. Just one bad decision in an operating theatre can hold the outcome of life in the balance. But then we do trust the professionals, right? Surgeons, doctors, lawyers, professors get there by making good decisions and maintaining their integrity.

What about us? You and me? Have we made bad decisions? Absolutely we have, and some we would not want to be reminded of because they shame us. In among the many bad ones, there could be one that sticks, and the devil reminds us of it now and again, to keep us away from God. We are too bad. We don’t come up to the grade for a Holy God, and you are right if it was all up to what we did and didn’t do. Thanks to Jesus, our salvation is not earned by default, but it’s the free gift of Grace from a forgiving Saviour. The next time the devil reminds you of your past bad decisions, remind him of God’s grace. He has no answer to that because God is not only forgiving, but patient and His desire is for all to see heaven. There is a catch, because we have to accept the gift because it’s not forced on us. That’s all. It’s down to us to accept or reject! Our choice.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2Peter3:9NIV

A Wee Flutter?

The occasional gamble on the horses, or football, or the lottery would be called a ‘wee flutter’ and those who do gamble will give a lot of thought to the odds, and the chances of winning. The thought is for a little risk, you might just win a lot of money. If you lose, it isn’t the end of the world. You can have another go the following week.

Studies show that the vast majority of people believe in a god of some kind, and life after death, ie some kind of heaven. Most religions will also say that the opposite of heaven would be some kind of torment, or hell for ever. Christianity believes in a real heaven to be gained, and a real hell to be shunned or avoided at all costs.

Since most folks take a lot of trouble to check the odds on their wee flutter, you would think these same folks would give a lot more consideration to the ‘odds’ of going to heaven or hell. Sadly, that is not the case. We are conditioned to believe that we all get to heaven after death, and that’s in spite of the fact that there is an alternative. How many funerals have you been to that even mentioned the possibility of hell? I can’t think of any because it’s no comfort to the grieving family. However, the person who has died will have given a little thought to the question of their eternal destiny at some time, and considered it in the same way they thought about that lottery ticket and took the gamble.

Our eternal destiny is not a lottery, and we shouldn’t treat it as such. The trouble is if we think it through there’s a problem. We realise that we must do something about it, make a choice, and to be sure of heaven, we must actively believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour, and you know in your heart, that He will change your life. We are not ready for that, so we gamble our eternity on the chance that we will get into heaven somehow someway anyway, no matter how we have lived our life. Are you happy with that arrangement?

There is a way that people think is right, but it leads only to death. Proverbs 14:12

Choices

Sometimes it’s the little decisions which eat away at you, and take their toll as you try to think through all the consequences. Big problems require big decisions, and usually the answers are obvious, so making that right choice can be easier to see.

You visit the doctor because you are breathless, and he tells you to cut out the cigarettes or you are in danger of contracting lung cancer. You know what you are told makes sense, and all you are left with is the choice. Quit smoking or carry on regardless and risk the consequences to your health.

Perhaps it’s a visit to find the cause of the body tremors you are experiencing, and after a full medical examination the doctor tells you to reduce the alcohol intake, or cut it out altogether. Again, you know it makes sense and you are left with a choice. Quit drinking alcohol or carry on regardless and risk the consequences to your liver.  

I find the small, almost insignificant decisions are toughest. Let me be honest. It’s Facebook. So, what’s the problem I hear you say? It’s not like the end of the civilised world if you don’t log on, and you further suggest that I could always ‘unfriend myself’, ie delete my account. Of course these pieces of advice are good and make sense. We know that Facebook is a window into our head, and gives lots of hints and clues as to the kind of person we are, and most importantly how we think. Like you, I warm to those who are like me, and can become cool to those who have differing views on some things I see as important.

There is a wise old saying that we should not discuss politics or religion with friends, and with good reason. These subjects above all others touch us where we are most vulnerable and can  make us react in an unkind way. I confess to being guilty of sitting on both sides of that fence, and as a result hurting others, and also being hurt as a consequence. Maybe you can see my dilemma (if you have followed me this far). So, it all comes down to this: Do I listen and adopt the sensible choice, or do I carry on regardless risking the consequences to my inner health, and possibly the relationship of dear friends?

If things go quiet from my end, whether it turns out to be temporary or permanent, you will hopefully know and understand why. In the words of the age old relationship breakup line, “It’s not you, it’s me”. Either way, it doesn’t signal the end of the world, right?

Your Biggest Decision

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

It’s the most important question and occasion in your life. You are staring at your choice of life across a fancy restaurant table complete with the romantic candle and a twinkle in your eye. Or maybe you are walking barefoot across an empty beach at sunset together, hand in hand. Or maybe even on bended knee, looking up to those beautiful eyes, and you whisper “will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?”. So far so good, it’s all looking so right, and then she says, NO!!

That is enough to put anyone on a downer. Imagine you did the same to Jesus? You got close, and then decided you wanted to complete your life by making Jesus the head of the rest of your days here on earth, until you get to share heaven with Him and all those loved ones gone before? You are looking into those compassionate and eternal eyes, asking if He will accept you. He stops you and says, NO! That is unthinkable, or is it?

The most famous of all Bible verses is John 3:16, and the wording is simple and easy to understand. Words like “WHOSOEVER believes”, “will NOT perish”, and “have ETERNAL LIFE”. What’s not to like? So, would Jesus ever say “NO” to you when you approach Him in simple faith, with a heartfelt desire to spend the rest of your life as a Christian, living and growing in your Spiritual life? NO. NEVER. NADA. ZILCH.

If any convincing is still needed, then how about this verse? Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and knock. If ANYONE hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me.”

Not a Word

And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word. 1 Kings 18:21

The ‘Message’ version says it this way: Elijah challenged the people: “How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow him; if it’s Baal, follow him. Make up your minds!” Nobody said a word; nobody made a move.

Decisions and choices. We face them every day and usually we deal with them quickly and without a fuss. In fact, other people will never know most of the decisions you make, and rightly so. They are a part of everyday life.

It is possible to be torn between two good things, and the outcome can only be a good one, but you waver over which is BEST. I would that we had more decisions to make like that, but the choices we wrestle with most, are the tough ones. Those which affect ourselves, others, or institutions we love. As a rule, the longer we waver over something, the bigger the consequences we will face, if not immediately, then further down the road.

Elijah put the question right where it belonged. A choice between good and evil, God or the devil, and when our decisions are placed in that context, we are more likely to make the right choice. I say mostly, because the verse tells us that when the people of God were faced with the question they fell silent. When faced with hard decisions in our faith walk, and church life, do we weigh it up quickly and say like Samuel, “Here am I Lord“, or do we go quiet, look around, and shuffle our feet?

So it all comes down to choosing between two real people. God or the devil (Baal). If we don’t choose God, then we are really voting for the devil. There is no middle ground, and that is a scary concept. Do you accept that idea, or do you think there is a third way?

The following extract is taken directly from the writings of Dr Charles Stanley. I think it helps us focus on the real choice we all face:

“We must make the Lord our priority everyday. We must start our day with Him, praying about our schedules, asking for His guidance, reading His word for instruction, and worshipping Him with grateful hearts. We must learn to practice these things every day. If we put these actions into practice, then we will find ourselves following God, without faltering. God knows our hearts and He wants us to want Him more than anything else. He wants us to stop choosing the what in our lives and start choosing the Who, Jesus Christ. Start your day with the Lord and ask Him to guide you. Beware of choosing to serve the false gods of this world. The Lord will help you if you just ask Him.”

Decision Time

If you live in the UK, by this time, you will have heard all the arguments for and against each of the political candidates, and soon, you will be putting your final decision down to record your voting intentions to carry you through the next few years. Only the real enthusiasts will join a political party, but we all have an opinion, and fortunately we live in a country where we can express it openly. Your vote is special. It is unique, and yet you will be one of many people who share the same ideal for parliament. As adults, we all have the intelligence to understand the differences between the policies, and we can tell which people can best deliver those promises, so that's where the cross goes. Your choice is beside the cross, but you have still not signed up to the party you vote for.




Our attitude to Faith is very like that too. We listen to the sermons, and watch the people who call themselves by the name Christian, and we decide whether we are convinced to put our name beside the Cross. Of course in this ballot, you can also abstain, and not show any allegiance at all. And you don't even need to be a member of a church, to be a Christian, although I do believe it is to be encouraged. At some time in our life we will have to make that eternal decision. Do we believe enough to be identified with the Cross? Like you, I know many people who have seen the lives of Saints on this earth, and heard all the arguments to make them convinced in what they should do, but they don't quite go as far as being a disciple.... yet....




In the UK, one choice is needed on the 5th May, but the other is open ended. It's a big question. Which Cross will your name be beside? Decision time!

Not Easy This Time!

Ok so it's done now. The postal vote has been filled in, and is waiting to be put into the postbox. What a decision.....

I have always taken a fair interest in politics, and the shenanigans they get into as they spin their lies, sorry policies, to get the keys to number 10. This time, I have been more interested and engaged than ever before, and have even written to candidates to see where they stand on certain issues. Did this help? Not a whole lot really! At the start of this election fever season, I decided that I would cast my lot with the most moral party. Surely that should be easy to find? Well, no, and that will be apparent if you have read any of the previous blogs. There are immoral policies and people in each one. So what made me decide on which one was for me? 

First, I had to go back to basics. What combination of party and policy did I think would address the challenges of our nations debt, and yes, whose hands would be the safest for our moral, ethical and Christian future? Know what? I may as well have blindfolded myself and put a pin in a piece of paper. One overriding, and driving force to make me pick one of them, is the fact that people in past wars fought and died to keep our freedoms, and we shouldn't take that lightly. Even if the political parties use and abuse this freedom, and continue to use smoke and mirrors, style and make up, to help us decide that theirs is the one.

Eventually, I looked, not at our prospective leaders, but at my local candidates, and that made it easier. After all, I didn't see Cameron, Brown or Clegg (or even Salmond) on my postal voting slip! Then it all got clearer. I decided  to look at my present MP's voting record on those important moral issues (this is easy to find online) and compare this to the other unknowns standing for election.  

So, I voted at last. Six days before the election, but only after the last leaders' debate on TV, and after I had done some personal homework on my own candidates. I don'y know if it will turn out to be the best decision I have ever made, but as a mere voter, I have done what I can with one of the greatest freedoms we are privileged to have in our nation, and that all by itself outweighs any doubt I may have.