The Choice Is Yours

You’ve no doubt heard someone in authority say at least once in your life, “You can do this one of two ways…my way—or the hard way.” You may have even said it yourself. No matter what we do in this life, it usually boils down to a simple choice.

In almost every aspect of our lives, there is usually some sort of authority over us. If we are employed, we have a boss/manager/employer. If we play a sport, there is a coach/referee/official that keeps us in line. Even when we volunteer our time, there is an organizer/chairperson/leader with certain requirements for the task at hand.

Of course, as Christians we know that there is an even greater authority we must answer to in life—God. He has given us a set of basic rules and principles to live by in life.* For those of us who accept His Son, Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are free from the penalty of sin (death). However, we are still responsible for living in a way that is pleasing to Him. If we don’t there are consequences.

Rest assured, God is not “out to get us” nor does He take pleasure in seeing us suffer. In fact, He has given us the opportunity to enjoy the fullness of life. The direction God gives us is not for His benefit, but ours. When we live in a way that is pleasing to Him, it only benefits us in the end.

For example, if we live a life that is sexually moral, we have a better opportunity of protecting ourselves from STDs or unwanted consequences. If we refuse to allow ourselves to be greedy for the wealth of the world, we stand a better chance of making wise financial decisions and living a life that is even more prosperous. If we focus our thoughts on God and allow Him to direct our daily walk, we are less likely to be consumed by things that bring us guilt and shame.

One of the tricks of the enemy is to suggest that God’s way is undesirable and that the wrong way is better. If you remember in Genesis 3, the serpent made the sin of eating from the forbidden tree look very appealing to Eve. Although she readily admitted that God directed her and Adam not to eat from it, she “saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye.” That wrong choice led to dismissal from a perfect environment and a spiritual separation from God.

In the end, the choice is pretty clear. We can live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God—or we can do it the hard way. Which way do you choose?


*Please read your Bible for more information.