On Sunday, using clips from the movie, “Woodlawn,” I spoke about the power of decision. The decision to live and the decision to love are the most powerful decisions I believe we can make.
The decision to live begins with a decision to surrender your life to Christ. Do you realize that every day you put off coming to Christ you are missing opportunities to be a world changer for eternity? Re-read Deuteronomy 30:11-20 and see what power results from choosing life! The power of the decision about what you will do with Jesus Christ is incredibly powerful as it defines where you will spend eternity here and what kind of impact your life will have here on earth.
The second way we choose life is to choose to conquer our giants. 1 Samuel 17:45-51 shows us that David wasn’t going to live afraid, and he wasn’t going to have the Israelite people living in fear of the giant, Goliath. When the giants of life come against you, do you understanding what they are really attacking? They are attacking the Lord in you. They are attacking God’s plans for your life. When God delivers you His name is glorified. God wants to make a name for Himself here on earth through your victorious life.
Second, we need to decide to love. Decide to love by living in harmony with all people. There is no room for racism in the Kingdom of God. Racism is simply another word for hatred. It is sin! When Jesus truly has control of you His love for people becomes your love for people.
Do you know why we have racial diversity? Because God has ordained it to be so! To hate or look down on someone because of the color of their skin is to snub your nose at what God has purposely done. We are to learn from each other. Our diversity is a gift from God intended to help us grow and appreciate the varied ways people see, experience and do life. Our oneness, our togetherness, our love for one another is supposed to be proof that we belong to Jesus. Re-read Revelation 7:9-10 and be reminded what Heaven will look like!
God’s salvation is for every person of every race. God’s love is for every person of every race. God’s heaven is for every person of every race. We dare not pray, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” if our hearts hold the sin of racism and hatred for people. In fact, I’ll just throw this out there: Racism may be the biggest form of hypocrisy a Christian could practice.
When we decide to love one another we are creating a powerful atmosphere for those who need to see what God is like. He is love. When we love we are at our best as witnesses for God.
Finally, we need to decide to love by forgiving those who hurt us. When we choose to hold on to offenses bitterness sets in. When bitterness sets in the desire for revenge is fed. When we take revenge we have become the judge and have put ourselves in the place of God. Vengeance is the worst demonstration of humanity. We have seen it this week. Just as I equated racism with hatred that has power to destroy, I see that love=forgiveness and has the power to heal.
The power of decision. It is the greatest gift next to salvation that God has given to us. We have the gift of free will in order to exercise power and authority in this life. When we choose to live by surrendering to Jesus and by living victoriously over sin and destructive behaviors we join forces with the power of God! Nothing can stop Him! When we choose to love by living in harmony with all people and by forgiving people who hurt us we are choosing the will and plan of God for our earthly lives.
Will you join me today in exercising the power to choose and make the decision to make the choices that please God as you do?
Pastor Melissa
