Day 42 - Choice Between Life and Death

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 45

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

It is interesting that the Apostle Paul points out we choose to either render service as to the Lord, or to men, “knowing that whatever good thing each one does this will he receive back from the Lord.”  And certainly we are to choose to render to the Lord, and not to men.  Aha, another “choice” issue…  However, in today’s writing, Michael points out one powerful “cause” of to whom, and why, each makes certain choices.  Ought to be a lesson for all to learn and live by.

DAY 42

Choice Between Life and Death

With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. –Ephesians 6:7, 8

We have been looking at problems encountered with our ability to choose, and one involves the feeling that apart from Him we can do something. It is true that outside of Christ man still has the power of choice; however, a man wanting to be the god of his life will only choose the things that strengthen the flesh; he will eat from the tree of Good and Evil, choosing self-righteousness or unrighteousness, the only choices made by any man except for those living in and abiding in Christ. Many in the “power of positive thinking” crowd teach that man can choose whatever he wants, including his destiny, that it is completely up to him what he becomes. The crux of this type of teaching does not include any reliance on Christ, so it simply cannot be true. A person can choose, but all choices will strengthen the flesh, causing a great outbreak of the flesh later. The Pharisees chose some incredible disciplines, and their flesh was so strengthened that they killed Jesus. In the same way a person can choose unrighteousness, which will cause an outbreak of self-righteousness later. I have heard former addicts speak with absolute contempt of drug addicts that they know. The unbeliever is a slave of sin. Just like any other slave, in his mind he can despise following the master, but he must choose to follow or suffer the consequences. My point is that even being a slave does not negate the fact that one still must choose. 

Well, did you pick out the “cause” that Michael points out?  “…a man wanting to be the god of his life will only choose…”  Startling words, aren’t they!  It’s the “wanting” that dictates the choosing.  And the choice dictates the outcome.

Why would man want to be god, when God is so gracious to provide so much through the Lord Jesus Christ?  True commitment to the Lord gives Him an open door to release His life through us in all the freshness and power of divine action.  We have all that He is.  Who wants to be god with a Life like His living in and through us?!?  AND…life shows us that “a man wanting to be god of his life will only choose the things that strengthen the flesh, choose from the tree of Good and Evil, choose self-righteousness or unrighteousness…the only choices made by any man except for those living in and abiding in Christ.”

I don’t know about you, but I want to choose to commit to Christ exclusively.

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

P. O. Box 633244    Nacogdoches, Tx 75963                                 936-559-5696