Scripture
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. (John 14:6a)
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 – 19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…
Excellent Plans
God has excellent plans for each of our lives, that He wants very much to help us achieve. These plans are so important to God that He sends little messages or nudges our way to try and help us make wise choices. We all know what I am talking about, its that quiet little voice that says “Do you really want to do that, eat that or say that?” Often my answer has been to do exactly what that little voice was trying to help me not do – and I would do the whatever, over eat the whatever, and say the whatever which of course would mean I was sinning and in the end often felt regret. Why didn’t I listen?
Why Don’t We Listen?
That is the question. Why do we find ourselves not listening to what could be the biggest breakthrough in our lives? Today I would like to share with you two very important nudges that God tries to impress upon us. They are: 1) The truth about ourselves – We all have sinned and deserve the death penalty (Romans 3:23) and 2) The truth about who Jesus is, what He has done for us and why we need Him as our Savior.
Why do we find ourselves not listening to what could be the biggest breakthrough in our lives? Click To Tweet
Jesus Qualified to Pay for Our Sins
Why would we want Jesus at the helm of our lives? Jesus came to this earth to live a life that was untouched by sin – he never lied, he never stole, he never lusted after things or people; He never used God’s name inappropriately. Why is this so important – well I know for myself I have lived a life that included lying, stealing, swearing, lusting, greed, and using God’s name casually — and I know that those who do such things deserve the judgment that God will pass on their lives. I deserved death. So Jesus came and lived a life completely sin free. Why? So He could pay the death penalty that we rightly deserve (Romans 6:23).
Choice To Make
God is extremely loving and He created us with the ability to make choices. And this ability dictates that we actually make choices. Having Jesus as our Savior involves a choice – I have set before you life and death, choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). Remember, choices always come with options and this very important choice has two options – known as two gates (Matthew 7:13-14).
- .. The Broad Gate — which allows us to live life as we please making up our own rules, our own plans – ignoring that inner voice of reason from God until we cannot hear it any longer. This road leads to selfishness, pain, and ultimately separation from God.
- ..The Narrow Gate — which allows us to have Jesus at the helm of our lives helping us to change our character from the inside out so we can be better people. People who can love themselves enough to trust God that there is no need to take advantage of others to ‘have what I want’; this love then transmits out from us into the lives of others. I am able to let them be who they are; I am able to let them have the bigger piece of chocolate cake; I am able to let them have the better explanation, the last word etc. Because, just like me they are living a life to be the best person they can be.
I Chose Jesus and Life
When God brought me to this fork in the road – I chose life – I chose Jesus Christ as my Savior and my Lord – I still have struggles in my life but I know that I will never have to walk alone and I know that God will continue to let His voice be heard by me to help me be wiser in my decision making process and best of all even when I don’t listen or when things outside of my control come my way, I know that He will take those events and help them to work out for my good.
So with both feet I ran through the narrow gate towards life and the fullest plans God has especially for me .
God is able to take everything that happens in our lives and work it together for our good. Click To Tweet
What Will You Choose? (Be Intentional)
How about you – the gates are open – which will you choose – “The fullness of God’s Plans for your life with Jesus” or “The best life I can achieve on my own”?
