WE MAKE CHOICES VERY DAY, BUT ONE OF OUR CHOICES IS CRITICAL!

BIBLE PASSAGE:
The mind governed by the flesh is death, 
but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 
(Romans 8:6)

MEDITATION:
The Bible is loaded with valuable information 
but if we fail to read it and believe its contents, 
then it is of no benefit to us.
Some of the information provides instructions for enjoying life,
and some of the information is highly critical.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul gives us 
valuable information for living now and for our eternal destiny after death.
We have one of two choices:
1.  We can be controlled by our fleshly desires, 
    which prevents us from really enjoying life now, and causes us to 
    suffer the agony of being separated from God and experiencing 
    physical torment and pain forever when our time on earth is over. 

2.  We can allow the Spirit of God to be in control,
    which allows us to enjoy the time we spend on earth while we 
    look forward to an eternity with God where we will experience 
    His blessings even more than we did while living out our lives on earth.

Option 1 results in a fear and dread of what will happen 
when we die, and this affects us throughout our time on earth.
Option 2 provides us with hope and anticipation of an ecstasy we could never 
imagine after death, and the joy of God’s blessings now on a daily basis.

When we look at the two choices, 
it is easy to see which one is best for us, isn’t it?
So why doesn’t everyone choose the second option?
Many want to be in control of their own lives 
and have believed the lies of Satan.
The evil one wants us to focus on ourselves and ‘having fun’
(as if living under the control of God’s Spirit would kill the joy in our lives).

When we genuinely succumb to the control of the Spirit, 
we are not giving up anything, or becoming robots.
Instead, we have decided to make a critical choice for our lives 
because we believe what we have read in the God’s Word.

Some try to organize their life where they 
can be controlled at times by the flesh and at other times by the Spirit.
But that is not what Paul tells us in Romans.
God loves us, wants to protect us, and desires what is best for us, 
so He wants ALL of us, and is not willing to share a part of us 
with the one who constantly opposes Him.

Some say that believers pass from death to life, 
but when the Spirit is in control of our lives, 
we really pass from life to life (death is the venue for our transition).
However those who choose the first option pass from ‘their definition’ 
of life to an eternal death that is not a blackness where they know nothing, 
but an eternity of pain and agony. 

When we are controlled by the flesh, we are not only rebellious 
and hostile to God, but we lack the capacity to please Him.
The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit 
to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh 
cannot please God. (Romans 9:7-8)
If we live a life of rebellion to God that is filled with the things that 
displease Him, then why would we ever expect to receive His blessings?

When our life is governed by the flesh, we might do some nice things 
along the way, but the scriptures tell us that our choice has made us 
hostile to God because we have refused to submit to His Spirit.
Metaphorically we have said to God, 
“I plan to remain in control of my life 
and I will not allow Your Spirit to influence me!”

On the other hand, when we live under the control of His Spirit,
we please Him, we please others, and we are pleased with ourselves.
His Spirit teaches us the value of trading selfishness for selflessness, and
as a result, we discover the value and pleasure of doing things for others.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility 
value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each 
of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

ACTION:
Which critical choice have you made?
Have you completely surrendered to the Lord, or are you trying to strike 
a balance between the control of His Spirit and your desires of the flesh?
The scriptures tell us that it is either one or the other.
If you have chosen to be controlled by the Spirit, 
then how have you confirmed that He is in control?
How often do you sacrifice your desires in order to do things for others?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and its contents. Help 
me to discipline myself so that I will enjoy spending more time reading 
the Bible, and will increase my faith as a result. Forgive me if I have 
been trying to share the control of Your Spirit with the control of fleshly 
desires. Show me how to confirm Your Spirit is in control by the way I 
make sacrifices for others. Instead of waiting for others to cater to me 
and please me, help me to bring joy into the lives of others. Teach me 
the value of lifting the spirits of others through encouraging words and 
actions.” 

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