Risky Gift

Choice.

Some find the concept of human choice to be antithetical to believing that God is sovereign. On the contrary, God is so confident and constant in His sovereignty that He Himself chose to don the hearts of men and women with the gift of choice, excluding any possibility of a robotic flavor in our obedience.

We are thus free to choose.

Free to receive God.
Free to reject God.
Free to remain in Christ.
Free to roam far from Christ.

Free to accept the authority of Scripture.
Free to reject the authority of God's Word.
Free to take every concern to the Father in prayer.
Free to stew and fret and worry over every concern.

It is that very risky yet gracious gift of choice from God that engenders true peace and genuine worship. Indeed, real devotion or pure obedience manifests itself only when the possibility of unfaithfulness exists, when the possibility of apathy is available.

And as far as my stumbling and wandering heart is concerned, I join Paul's voice in saying,

"Where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom 5:20-21, NIV).

It is true, my unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, and my weakness sets the stage for His strength. It is because sin was once my master that I can now choose to declare that I have a new Master in Christ.

"Refiner's fire; my heart's one desire
is to be holy, set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy, set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will."

In saying, "I choose," I am not saying I am in control. Rather, I am saying I accept His sovereignty, I accept His influence, I accept His righteousness, I accept His calling, I accept His I accept His grace, I accept His love.

What a glorious Lord we have in Jesus!