CHOOSING THE WAY OF CHRIST, NOT THE WAY OF SELF

CHOOSING THE WAY OF CHRIST, NOT THE WAY OF SELF

The question that most Christians face (and often flee from) is not whether they will perform a certain task, while doing their government job (as seen in Kim Davis of Kentucky). Mostly they deal with more mundane issues.

Choosing the attitude of Christ during a ball game, whether recreational, competitive or professional.

Choosing compassion over machismo.

Choosing submission over domination.

Choosing kindness over "fairness."

Choosing justice over self advancement.

Choosing mercy over judgment.

Choosing reconciliation over "personal rights."

Choosing humility over haughtiness.

Choosing self denial over self satisfaction.

Choosing love over revenge.

Choosing peace over prejudice.

Choosing equity over popularity.

Choosing unity over superiority.

And the list goes on...

Sadly, most people, most of the time do not choose the "good part (portion)," as Jesus called it (Lk. 10:42). Instead they choose the easiest, most popular, most gratuitous, most self serving way.

THEY CHOSE THE "GOOD PORTION."

Moses
Hebrews 11:24-27
(24) By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
(25) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
(26) Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
(27) By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Joshua
Joshua 24:14-15
(14) Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
(15) And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

David
Psalms 119:29-32
(29) Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
(30) I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
(31) I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
(32) I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

Destiny And Identity

Your choices not only determine your destiny, they determine your identity. In other words, your path not only leads you to your future, your path reveals the real you.

Isaiah 30:20-21
(20) And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:
(21) And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Matthew 7:13-14
(13) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
(14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.