There is one thing that all humans have and that is the power of choice. They are able to choose many options in life. Every one has a choice in all that they do but God takes care of the consequences. No matter the number of options from two to hundreds there is always a choice for a person.

When Jesus died on Calvary’s cross, the power of sin and death was eternally destroyed because He chose to die for sin. However we still must choose to trust His work for our self. The choice is to trust Him or not. We choose to submit and obey or not.

It is a choice each person must make or have made before they die. God is sovereign and has given us limited free will. This means we can chose right or wrong, good or bad. The choice is ours to surrender our lives and hearts to God or to refuse His love and blessing.

We can choose to trust his work through Christ’s death, burial, and ressurrection or not trust Christ’s work. The choice is yours and mine. The choice to believe or not to believe. A choice to confess our sin or not confess our sin.

Although God is Lord of the universe, He will not force you to love Him. He will not demand that we pick Him or His ways but, we will pay the price of our rejecting Him. Luke 10:42, “But one thing is needful and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

This story about Mary and Martha is a powerful illustration of everyone’s ability to choose. Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet while Martha chose to prepare the Lord a dinner. Simple choices related to Jesus made all the difference in the world.

Mary selected to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to what He was saying. Martha however selected to be busy with the preparation of the food and how it was being served.

Let’s imagine both attitudes. Mary probably was thankful, contented, and in submission to Jesus. She was showing love and faith in Him. Martha on the other hand was complaining, and coveting what Mary was doing. She was critical and contrary.

Each person in this story was living the product of their own choice. No one forced them to respond the way they did. Their attitude was clearly reflected by their choice. Remember it is always a person’s choice.

If you get angry at someone or something regardless of what is done, it is completely your choice. No matter what your spouse does, remember it’s your choice. No matter what that person on your job did to you, it is still up to you to decide how you are going to respond.

When you realize that your attitude is a choice and that only you can make it, no matter the circumstance. You can choose to love or be critical. You can chose to be thankful or complain. You can chose to be content or covet. You can chose to have faith in God or doubt Him.

You can chose to submit or be rebellious to Him. It’s your choice, you know. God has provided the foundation through Christ to show us how to choose good and reject evil. Do you know how to choose good and reject evil?

Isaiah 7:15,16 says, “Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, …. the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings.” This verse was fulfilled in Jesus’ coming, because it was about Him and His discernment of choosing what please God the Father.

God will never punish us for making the right choice. An eight year old boy asked his father: “Dad, would you punish me for something I didn’t do? “Of course not,” said his father. “Good,” said the little boy. “I didn’t do my homework.” God will never punish us for choicing good.

Our ability to make choices is another indication of our free will which shows that we are made in God’s image. A free will to choose has been given to every person. Adam was given a free will to choose and so every person after him has that same ability.

An example of a good choice is Mary in Luke 10:42. Jesus says that Mary has chosen the good part that will not be taken away. What is always the right choice? Spending time with Jesus.

Principle illustrated: A Choice leads to a Consequence that will be Comendation from God or Chastisement for Him.

1]. Choices
2]. Consequences
a).Comendation or b).Chastisement

Other good examples of right choices that lived are Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, the eleven disciples and Paul. Examples of bad choices that lived are Cain, Esau, Pharaoh, Israel and the promise land, Saul, Jonah and Judas. Everything in the Bible was writing for an examples, 1 Cor. 10:11.

We have practiced making bad choices for so long that we think we have no other selections, but to keep picking what is bad. God wants you to realize you can change that way of thinking with His help.

Past practices does not have to continue unless you want to change it. Our thinking determines our actions. Right thinking will result in right conduct. Wrong thinking will result in wrong conduct. Proverbs 23:7, “As a person thinks in their heart so are they.”

The lesson today has taught us this principle that our choice leads to the consequence which will determine if it will be a commendation from God or a chastisement from Him. Where do you stand with your choices?