05/27/26 FACTORS IN DECISION MAKING
THE OPTIONS (our own choices)
The option to humility is pride.
The option to soften is harden.
The option to repentance is rebellion.
The option to peace is turmoil.
The option to unity is division.
The option to assurance is confusion.
The option to kindness is cruelty.
The option to patience is discontent.
The option to sincerity is pretense.
The option to contentment is avarice.
The option to meekness is conceit.
The option to love is hatred.
The option to joy is misery.
The option to goodness is wickedness.
The option to gentleness is harshness.
The option to self-control is self-pleasing.
This is just a quick list of some choices we have every day. These choices come up in major decisions and minor ones, but the choice we make is always major.
Choosing to be conformed to the image of Jesus is always a vital choice.
Love is a self-denying PRINCIPLE and POLICY.
Sometimes we make the right decisions because there are external influences. There is an "OUGHT TO" factor. "...forgive others... or God will not forgive you..."
As we follow Christ, we will make right decisions because we have an internal influence. This is the "WANT TO" factor, "I delight to do Thy will."
We make some changes because they are part of our NEW NATURE.
We make some changes because they are part of our NEW NURTURE.
Christian CHARACTER and Christian CULTURE equip us to walk in victory and service.
We are personally influenced by the INHERENT and the INSTRUCTIONAL aspects of Christian truth.
In both cases, they inform the watching world that we are INSTANTANEOUSLY TRANSFORMED from darkness to light, from sin to righteousness, and that we are PROGRESSIVELY BEING CONFORMED to the image of Christ.
Actual Christians, those who walk in the light, KEEP GOD'S COMMANDMENTS AND DO THAT WHICH IS PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT.
The Christian choice is NOT STATIC OR STERILE; it is DYNAMIC AND PURE.
The Christian REALITY/EXPERIENCE is a LIVING RELATIONSHIP it is NOT A LIST OF RULES AND REGULATIONS.
