There, Jesus was nailed to the cross, and on each side of him a man was also nailed to a cross (John 19:18 CEV)
Abel and Cain, both sons of Adam. Abel chooses God, Cain chose murder. And God allows him.
Abraham and Lot, both pilgrims to Canaan. Abraham chooses God. Lot chooses Sodom. And God allows him.
David and Saul, both Kings of Israel. David chooses God. Saul chooses power. And God allows him.
Peter and Judas, both deny their Lord. Peter seeks mercy. Judas seeks death. And God allows him.
Ever wondered why there are two other crosses? Two criminals have so much in common. Convicted by the same laws. Condemned to the same death. Surrounded by the same crowd. Equally close to the same Jesus. In fact, they begin with the same sarcasm. However one chose to continue to mock him while the other chose to pray for him.
Throughout the journey of our life we are faced with many opportunities that require us to make decisions. Decisions whether to study business or engineering? Decision to quit the current job and take another job for a lower salary or to remain? Decision to sell the current house and buy a bigger house or to remain? Decision to stay in Singapore or to migrate overseas?
God allows us to make our own choices. But in all the choices we make God wants us to give no room for the devil and instead seek His counsel.
"Leave no room or foothold for the devil give no opportunity to him."
(Ephesians 4:27, Amp)
How do we do that?
First, Pray the right prayer and make the Word of God the final authority in your life. Line up your thinking and decision with whatever the Word says. Next, decide to live your life by faith in what God has said. The bible says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”. Finally decide to live by the unconditional love of God because faith works by love. Without love, your faith will not function. Without the Word, you can’t have faith.
This lifestyle of the Word, faith and love keeps you in a place of resistance to the devil!
I chose to walk with Him because:
- Jesus accepted the spittle on the face as a sinner so that I could have the face of the saint
- Jesus took the crown of thorns so that I have the crown of heaven and
- It was Jesus who swung the hammer onto the nails. Together with the nails were the lists. The lists of all your sins. And He swung the hammer into the same hands that parted the red sea, the same hands that cleanse the temple, the same hands that brought Lazarus to life. The hand of our loving God
And HE DID IT JUST FOR YOU AND ME! |
