“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Choose: is defined in Webster’s Dictionary as follows: to select freely and after consideration.
Contrary to all that the world is aggrandizing—contrary to its boasting of the supposed ‘choices’ people have, truth be told, there have continually only been two choices given to every man. The way of Life and the way of death. There’s a right way and a wrong way, there is no third way. These two choices were offered to Adam and Eve in the Garden by God and the same two choices stand today. And, even if you are a Christian, we too need to be reminded of this—daily. To live according to The Word of God—according to a fixed way of life, of choices and consequences clearly mapped out for us in that Word we profess. Or, of choosing, and it is our choice, to live according to the ways of our fallen flesh—aka, in rebellion to God. Ignoring—pushing aside, disregarding, dismissing, Him or His ways and doing ‘our’ thing instead. Our thing, our way, our choice…
A daily battle.
And so it was that through one such self-gratifying, rebellious, choice—that sin entered into the world through man’s rebellion against God’s command. “And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die” (Genesis. 2:16-17).
Yet—these above choices mentioned and those below, the opportunities, blessings, tests, and, trials—all of it, everything, literally starts with our first—our most important choice. Asking Jesus into our lives. To be our Lord and Savior. To be our Guide, our Friend. To have and grow in a loving relationship with Him.
Listen…
The Apostle Paul, being the author of both Colossians and Romans, sums up—echoes, within Colossians what he was driving at—teaching, in Romans 8:6. The better way, the Godly way. “And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth” (Colossians. 3:2). Yet, every believer has the freedom to choose between the way of the Spirit—the higher things, or, the way of the flesh, earthly things…
And, because we are flesh, there are moments—choices, that we absolutely get wrong. Why? We make them in the flesh. ‘Flesh’, in this case, referring to the way of death—as in things fleshly, finite. Or, as with our choices, those things resulting from its nature. Our physical bodies that is, and its fruits—the byproducts of our choices. It is only those things—decisions, actions, thoughts, born from the Spirit—that have any true lasting, or eternal value.
Paul teaches that we live, move, and, react as a result of how it is we truly believe. In other words, our actions are a result of—a byproduct of, what we deeply, firmly, believe and confess. If we profess God, we must live Godly lives, doing all we can to put to death our old ways. Whatever they were. In Romans 8:12-13 he says it this way: “So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity], to live according to the [impulses of the] flesh [our nature without the Holy Spirit]— for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever.”
According to the Old Testament, at least two witnesses are required to establish any charge. Jesus Himself confirms this law—this truth, while He’s addressing the Jews concerning their charges—their accusations, against Him and His healing of a man who had been disabled for 38 years. Listen to what Jesus says about the necessity for witness in John 5:31-37: “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true. “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light. “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me…”
So then, based on this need for two witnesses, let’s turn to the Apostle Peter as our second witness. Let’s listen to his confirmation—his witness, to what Paul has already taught us. In Chapter 1 of 2nd Peter, starting with verse 12 Peter expounds on—reiterates, our need to remain—that is, for those in Christ—believers—to continue in choosing Godly living. And, how we might escape the corruption of this world through our knowledge of Christ. Here the word, ‘world’ is used as ‘flesh’ was in Paul’s teaching. Pointing to our baser desires and their subsequent actions. Peter says—choosing self-indulgence, willful rebellion—our choosing ‘the flesh’ over the ways of The Spirit—will lead to death: 1 Peter 2:11, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges [those dishonorable desires] that wage war against the soul.”
We have now seen evidence—heard teachings of both the Apostles Paul and Peter concerning our need to make Godly choices. To choose the ways of God—our need of His Spirit to lead and guide us, to strengthen us, to help put to death our most base and fleshly desires. Those corrupt, fallible, finite impulses. To walk away from—train ourselves to renounce, the ‘things’ of our flesh (fornication, adultery, unclean passions, evil desires, lying, stealing, and, covetousness—to mention some). Those things that lead us away from God’s will for our lives. Away from living a life that offers us hope for an eternity spent with Jesus and, that aides us today—in our daily living. Strengthening us to become more Christ-like, more reflective of His imagine and likeness in this world.
The Opposing way is—has continually been, foolishly been, to choose—some short-lived, self indulgent, existence we might piece together. The Bible is littered with many such examples—and their common demise.
Two witnesses have now been established in Peter and Paul.
The Word of God clearly tells us that God does not want any man—His creation, to perish. But to have eternal life with Him (2 Peter 3:9). Peter and Paul both, were talking to those who had accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We, like those Christians, are each given this same opportunity—this choice, this magnificent free gift through belief in—relationship with, Jesus Christ. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy. 2:3-4).
The ‘will have’ in this Scripture reflects God’s heart that all men should come to Him. And not a guarantee that just because you were born that you will come to Him…
The main subject—the very title of this teaching, relates to making a choice—it reflects this one Truth. You must choose.
Jesus Christ died so that all men might be saved. Jesus loves you. You are a part of the, “all men” spoken of in 1 Timothy above. That is a Truth so solid, so fixed—you can anchor your life to it. Will you, like Peter and Paul, and countless others, choose Jesus’ way over your way of doing things? Or will you go the way of Adam and rebel? Allowing your sins—your choices, to separate you from a God that created you to love you—and, to have a relationship with you? Jesus is patiently waiting for you to choose Him…
As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” emphasis my own; Hebrews 3:15
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