It is vital for healthy Christians to see and know that our Heavenly Father loves us unconditionally and beyond our understanding. He reveals tremendous truth to our beings. His word brings light for the dark pathways of life – “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105. As I choose to walk in the light of His truths, the way becomes clearer and easier, but if I ignore it, confusion results and the pathway remains darkened. Jesus said, “…walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness does not know where he is going.” John 12:35

God created Adam and he was perfect, but he became flawed through choice, Genesis 3, and all mankind since has inherited that fallen nature. God’s wonderful plan of salvation through the cross of Christ redeems that fallen state. John 1:12 declares, “But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” Jesus encouraged us in our walk with Him, “Be ye perfect,” meaning maturity. As we learn from Him and embrace His truths, the maturing process takes place.

We often accept things that come in to our lives without questioning the point of entry, but God is often wanting to teach us something in the circumstances. God does not teach us by punishing us, He teaches us through healing us. 1 Peter 2:24 declares “By whose stripes you were healed.” God does not put these adverse circumstances on us, in His sovereignty He may permit them, but we experience them because of our flawed state. In His great love He teaches us in the encounter, we fling out our pride in humility, embrace who He is and He brings us through the circumstance and heals us – demonstrating “His strength made perfect in our weakness.”

It is an amazing fact how powerful my choice is because of the consequences of that choice. A seemingly insignificant choice can have huge consequences. In the natural some choices can become automatic through habit, this is also true in the spiritual, so it is vital I make right choices.

Consider this, IF I DO NOT CONSULT GOD, I INSULT HIM.

Consider the choices of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar – they all resulted in Ishmael – who by God’s mercy grew to be a man with 12 sons, but Ishmael was born in God’s permissive will, he was never “purpose.” The consequences of permission carry stress and need much prayer, whereas “purpose” demonstrates peace and harmony as the will of God fulfils itself. Birth settles destiny!

I see my need to ask the Lord to make me sensitive to Him when exercising my choice, requesting He applies gentle pressure to guide me to the right choice. If I listen to the whispers of Jesus and obey, my life will not result in shipwreck.

Some have been wrongly raised from childhood to see God as a tyrant watching over them with a big stick. However, when they have learnt the truth of the Father’s great loving kindness towards them, in choosing to see God as a loving Father the other image of lies is destroyed. God comes alongside of our choice and enables us to become what He created us to be. John 1:12 “…as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God.”

In his pride, man seeks to become independent in all areas of life, but out of His great love for us, God seeks for us to be dependent on Him. He created us for His good pleasure. God does not “put up” with me, He loves me unconditionally and passionately.