Freedom of Choice

God’s will in our decision-making

Freedom is a precious quality valued not only in our country, but by all men everywhere. Freedom is fought for personally, politically and even spiritually. To many men & women, freedom means being independent of anyone or anything. But is this true freedom and what is the price for freedom that seeks to be completely independent of any rule, law, guideline, person or idea?

A significant misconception regarding Christianity believes it is too restrictive, binding or oppressive. Those who are outside looking in only see God as an oppressive Being, restricting man from truly enjoying and being satisfied in life. Sinful man is deceived into thinking true freedom comes by making one’s own decisions by and for themselves alone. The deception is that sinful man is actually of slave to himself in sin. Man will freely choose what he wants, but only according to his sin and is a slave to the results and consequences of his sinful choices.

Scripture proclaims believers have been rescued from being slaves to themselves in sin to real freedom found only in Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

So what is God’s design regarding the freedom of our decision-making? How is real freedom experienced when it comes to the direction of our life or the plans we make?

Part of God’s design is explained by the psalmist.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

God desires for man to enjoy life and to be free to pursue the desires of his heart by enjoying Him. Christianity is about freedom and having faith that the design and plan of God leads to freedom of choice and enjoyment of life.

In order to have this freedom and enjoyment, we need to know God’s will and design for decision-making and experience.

Before we can experience this freedom of decision-making, we must start with the foundation of knowing God’s will. There are six (6) scriptural principles of God’s will that will lead us into true freedom.

I. Salvation (1 Timothy 2:1-4; 2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16-17)

Freedom of decision-making starts here. God’s desire is for all men to be saved and to trust His will. In order to receive salvation, one must demonstrate brokennessand repentance of sin and willful commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord of their life. This is a commitment to obedience and doing the will of God as He has designed.

To willfullyset aside yourself as the authorityof your life and acceptJesus Christ’s authority for your life.

If you have not committed obedience to Christ, don’t expect God to do anything for your good. God will only do what is necessary for His own glory and for everyone who is opposed to His will, God’s glory will involve righteous judgment.

II. Live by the Spirit(Galatians 5:13-26; Eph. 5:15-21; Col. 3:16-17)

Man’s salvation from God is called “new life” because of what takes place in the inner man. God gives each believer the Holy Spirit as a seal and promise for living life under the freedom of God and not under sin (2 Cor.1:21-22). Commitment to Christ involves willfully living according to the direction of God’s Word and His Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the exact same Spirit of Jesus Christ (John 14:16) that enters a believer and is ready to guide, influence and empower them to be pleasing to God. A believer is completely ready and fully able to do the will of God, if they live by the Spirit that is in them.

Think of yourself as a baseball glove. On its own it is useless and functionless even though it has tremendous potential. Until it is filled by an effective hand that can control it, direct it and use it appropriately, it has no purpose. Likewise, believers must be filled by the Spirit in order for Him to use us effectively and appropriately.

In Galatians 5:13-26, Paul instructs us how to live by the Spirit. He reminds us we were called to freedom, but we are not to abuse our freedom for sin. Instead, we are to walk and be led by the Spirit. How?

Identify sinful, selfish actions –stop practicing them.

Identify Spirit-ual actions – start practicing them. The fruits of the Spirit are not just qualities that appear, but are tangible, practical actions we are to be doing.

Worship with other believers and prefer each other (Eph.5:15-21) – Scripture specifically mentions we are to worship together through music and speak about our thankfulness to God.

Fill our mind’s with God’s Word (Col.3:16-17) – Not just by listening, but personally interacting with Scripture and with one another again through music and specifically glorifying God in the small areas of life.

III. Protecting Purity(1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)

It is difficult to accept God’s help and plan for us if we are not living pure before Him. This revealed will of God is a direct command to set ourselves apart from the rest of the world in regards to sexual purity.

· Self-control – Not a quality that develops, but an action we are to practice. This involves not giving into our passions and lust, but to be controlled and pure before God.

· Appropriate behavior – Paul warns not to take advantage, or defraud, another in regards to sexual impurity towards them or someone belonging to them.

Men are to be respectful to each other not acting crude, lewd or shrewd. They are to be respectful to women in comments, actions and thinking.

Women are not to sinfully attract or cause another brother to stumble into sin by inappropriate behavior or appearance. Remember, God’s will is for us to be pure!

IV. Submissive Example(1 Peter 2:13-17)

The believer’s life should be the model of society living. God’s will is not for us to justify our actions to Him by breaking governmental laws. Instead we are to prove God true through submissive living. We submit to the government not for ourselves but for “the Lord’s sake.” No where in Scripture does it teach to be free from the total rule of men. For even when men ask you to disobey God, you must be willing to accept the consequences and remember the praise of God (Acts 4:18-20; 1 Pet.3:14-17).

Ø Disobediencebecause of dislikefor governing authorities is against the direct will of God.

Remember, you are free from living in fear of pleasing others alone because you live to please God alone.

V. Accept Suffering(1 Peter 4:12-19; 2 Timothy 3:12)

This can be a more difficult aspect of God’s will for someone to accept. God is clear that those who live godly lives in an ungodly world will be persecuted and suffer.

Can a Christian live a normal life and not have to suffer? No.

· Life around is not normal, it is sinful.

· Because Jesus Christ is God, lived perfect and spoke the truth, the world rejects and hates Him and all who follow Him (John 15:18-25).

How do we respond?

· Don’t suffer for the wrong things. Since the Christian life involves suffering, don’t add to your suffering by sinning and receiving shameful consequences.

· Rejoice in God when you suffer for the right things. There is no shame in suffering for what is right. It is affirmation of our relationship with God and we are blessed because of it.

· Trust the complete control of God to do what is right. This is where human experience clashes with faith and trust in God. Even when you don’t understand or can’t know the reasons for suffering and pain, will you trust and believe in the control and character of God?

Peter reminds us in 5:9-10 no one is alone in their experience of suffering and it is only temporary while the work of God is permanent.

VI. Delight Yourself in the Lord(Psalm 37:1-5)

The desires of our heart begin to change from sinful, selfish desires to God-honoring intentions. A believer is free to eat, watch, listen to, enjoy and participate in anything without feeling guilty. But along this process he has grown in wisdom and discernment to know those things which are profitable and helpful from those which are harmful and damaging.

1 Corinthians 6:12"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything.

1 Corinthians 10:23"All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.

· We provewe are fulfilling the will of God in what we freelychooseto do and not do.

Do you believe the design and purposes of God are truly the best?

Freedom of Choice

God’s will in our decision-making

June 4th, 2006

1. Salvation(1 Timothy 2:1-4; 2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16-17)

Ø To willfully set aside yourself as the authority of your life and accept Jesus Christ’s authority for your life.

2. Live by the Spirit (Gal. 5:13-26; Eph. 5:15-21; Col. 3:16-17)

Ø Identify sinful, selfish actions.

Ø Identify Spirit-ual actions.

Ø Worship with other believers and prefer each other (Eph.5:15-21).

Ø Fill our mind’s with God’s Word(Col.3:16-17).

3. Protecting Purity (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)

Ø Self-control

Ø Appropriate behavior

4. Submissive Example (1 Peter 2:13-17)

Ø Disobediencebecause of dislike for governing authorities is against the direct will of God.

5. Accept Suffering (1 Peter 4:12-19; 2 Timothy 3:12)

Ø Don’t suffer for the wrong things.

Ø Rejoice in Godwhen you suffer for the right things.

Ø Trust the complete control of God to do what is right.

6. Delight Yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:1-5)

Ø We prove we are fulfilling the will of God in what we freely choose to do and not do.

Do you believe the will and purposes of God are truly the best?

Freedom of Choice

God’s will in our decision-making

June 4th, 2006

1. Salvation(1 Timothy 2:1-4; 2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16-17)

Ø To _____________ set aside yourself as the _____________ of your life and _________ Jesus Christ’s authority for your life.

2. Live by the Spirit (Gal. 5:13-26; Eph. 5:15-21; Col. 3:16-17)

Ø Identify ____________, ______________________.

Ø Identify ______________ _____________.

Ø ________________ with other believers and ______________ each other (Eph.5:15-21).

Ø Fill our mind’s with ___________________ (Col.3:16-17).

3. Protecting Purity (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)

Ø _________-_____________

Ø __________________ __________________

4. Submissive Example (1 Peter 2:13-17)

Ø ____________________ because of _______________ for governing authorities is against the direct will of God.

5. Accept Suffering (1 Peter 4:12-19; 2 Timothy 3:12)

Ø Don’t suffer for the ________________________.

Ø ____________________ when you suffer for the right things.

Ø Trust the ________________ ______________ of God to do what is right.

6. Delight Yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:1-5)

Ø We ______________ we are fulfilling the will of God in what we ______________ _______________ to do and not do.

Do you believe the will and purposes of God are truly the best?