The right of choice is both a wonderful privilege and a grave responsibility. Being created in God’s image includes this right of choice, which may be referred to as being a “free moral agent”. Thus, “There are but two classes of men, the righteous who think themselves to be sinners, and the sinners, who think themselves righteous”. [Pascal] Then this: “Only one good, namely, knowledge; and only one evil, namely, ignorance”. [Diogenes] So, there is knowledge and ignorance, in or out, night and day, weak and strong, alive or dead, love and hate.
We will always have all kinds of choices…about what we want to do or how to feel – sad or happy, grouchy and mean, or nice and friendly. But remember, we reap what we sow. So, if we want a happy, feel-good time, there will be some things we will have to consciously choose to not do, not say, or not be like. Make sense? That’s because our human nature is faulty, at best, and destined for destruction at worst. Don’t we all make bad choices at times? “We are all infected and impure with sin.” (Isa. 64:6, NLT) and “As the Scriptures say, “No one’s righteous. No one does good, not a single one.” (Rom. 3:10–12, NLT)
We must all have a special, spiritual ‘makeover’ if we would indeed see good days and love our lives here. The divinely inspired Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:10 about three things to avoid for this to happen. The first thing we must not do is to talk ugly, crudely, or in a hateful manner – to never gossip or lie.
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Eph. 4:29)
“If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.” (Js. 1:26)
You must choose wisely. Your everlasting life depends on it.
-John Driggers (6/3/2024, V6 #23)
To read other content drafted by John Driggers, please check out our Life Guides webpage here: Think of it this way – Myers-Davis Life Coaching (myersdavis.com)
