LIVING AN EARTHLY
LIFE,
BUT MAKING HEAVENLY DECISIONS
Life is filled with daily
decisions. Some decisions have little or no consequences. We make decisions
like what kind of tooth paste to use or what kind of bread to buy? Other
decisions are eternal in nature. Good spiritual decisions improve our earthly
life and move us toward heaven. Bad spiritual decisions bring much misery here
and damnation hereafter. As Christians our decisions are made based upon the
faith that we have in Jesus Christ. We make our decisions based on who we love
most; ourselves or God?
Some decisions are easy. Is
it a sin to murder? Should Christians steal or cheat? Is it acceptable for
God's people to lie? Other decisions are more difficult. There are, however
several Bible thoughts that will help us in the decision making process.
Will this decision
bring glory to God? The psalmist
prayed, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be
acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." (Psalm
19:14) My decision must be that my mouth will speak nothing but things that are
true, kind, and beneficial. My heart must meditate on nothing but things that
are holy, pure, and virtuous. We make many decisions in life but we must first
ask will this decision glorify God? Paul wrote, "Whether therefore ye eat,
or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians
10:31) In all our decisions and plans for life let all that we do be done to
the glory of God. Let us make spiritual and godly decisions so that we can say
with Jesus, "I have glorified thee on the earth." (John 17:4)
Will this decision
help me to grow spiritually? "The righteous shall flourish like the
palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in
Will this decision do
anything to defile my body? Our
body is the temple of the Holy Spirit of God. Paul wrote, "What? know ye
not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye
have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore
glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1
Corinthians 6:19-20) Our soul and our body must be used in the service of our
Maker. Paul wrote, "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of
unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are
alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto
God." (Romans 6:13) We must serve God with our head, our heart, our hands,
our feet and our entire body. God expects us to be holy inside and out. The
decisions you make as to how to use your body should always reflect your desire
to honor Jesus Christ.
Will this decision
bring me into some form of slavery?
Someone smokes that first cigarette or takes that first dip and soon they are a
slave to tobacco. Many are slaves to gambling and the thrill it brings to them.
There are all kinds of chemical addictions that take control of individuals.
Others are slaves to over eating, too much Television or too many computer
games. Still others find themselves addicted to fornication, homosexuality or
other sexual sins. Paul said, "All things are lawful unto me, but all
things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be
brought under the power of any." (1 Corinthians 6:12) One translation has
it, "but for my part, I will not let myself be enslaved by anything."
If what you are considering can be a destructive habit, why pursue it? You are
to be a bond-servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, and Him alone. "Likewise
reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,
that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as
instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as
those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of
righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are
not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not
under the law, but under grace? God forbid now ye not, that to whom ye yield
yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of
sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:11-16)
Will this decision
help the cause of Christ to grow?
The decisions that you make in your life will largely determine whether you
will be a soul winner or not. Paul wrote, "For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16) The
world is watching you. What do your decisions say about your faith in God? We
must be careful not to give any unconverted person a reason to be prejudice
against Christianity. Your life should reflect your concern for a lost world.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) Godly
decisions open the door for powerful evangelist work. Jesus said, "Go ye
into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth
and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned." (Mark 16:15-16)
Will this decision
violate my conscience? Once I
have said or done this will I fell miserable, unhappy and guilty? A clean
conscience is of great value. Your relationship with God can never be right as
long as you are violating your conscience. Paul wrote, "He that doubteth
is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of
faith is sin." (Romans 14:23) If you are considering doing something and
it bothers your conscience then you should avoid doing, saying or thinking that
thing. "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and
knoweth all things." (1 John 3:20) We cannot expect to have peace in life
if we are doing things that violate our conscience. Christians must live so
that their hearts will not condemn them for any secret sin. God is greater than
our heart, and knoweth all things.
Will this decision
help me fulfill my purpose for being on earth? You must ask yourself, Will this decision please God
and fulfill His purposes for my life? We read in 1 Corinthians 10:32-33
"Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? If
so it is time to become a Christian now! To become a Christian you must hear
the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts
17:30, confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (1
Peter 3:21) After baptism follow Jesus in faithfulness as He leads you home to
heaven. (Revelation 2:10)
By Charles Box,