RIGHTS VS. RIGHTEOUS

My apologies to all of you for the lack of Wednesday Wisdom posts over the past month; and I want to thank you for letting me know that you missed them. It shows me that God is moving on our behalf and that my efforts are not in vain. However, I must be transparent for a moment and let you know that this current topic had me twisted. I struggled with being true to God’s Word while expressing what it means to be a citizen of this country; my perspective is my own but to convey this message I must be willing to step outside of self and explore what others see and perceive. We are living in a world full of chaos, hypocrisy and innuendo; people are confused and subject to all sorts of suggestion and half-truths. The countless conversations, the questions of faith, the fanatical judgment calls, and the radical Christian agenda caused me to dig deeper into the word of God and into the history of this country. 

I will start by saying that I am not a lawmaker but I am familiar with the Constitution of the United States of America; it is the doctrine used to govern the citizens of this country. In 2015, I am better able to exercise my rights as a citizen than my ancestors were. I am not a Bible scholar, but I love to study and read the Bible on a regular basis. Aside from it being the text of my faith, I appreciate the wisdom and common sense revealed in its pages. Though they are very different texts, people often confuse and misuse both the Constitution and the Bible, even though they are mutually exclusive to one another. The rights granted to citizens of this country have little to do with the righteousness that God expects from His people.

Drafted in 1776, the Declaration of Independence defines certain inalienable rights given to Americans; it is a precursor to what would become the law of the land. Drafted by a wealthy, white, male, slave owner, the document boasts of freedoms granted to its citizens. However, a constitutional democracy has little to no longevity; and it alters repeatedly to accommodate the needs of the citizens. Over the course of 200+ years, The Bill of Rights and several Amendments entered into legislation, to ratify those initial rights granted to American citizens. 

Amidst all those constitutional amendments and changes, the Bible has remained the same; God’s expectation of His people has not altered. Scripture is God breathed, authored by the Holy Spirit to govern how people live within God’s Will. With God, it is not about the law, it is about love and He asks that we love our neighbors as ourselves. This is not constitutional, it cannot be amended; this is the expectation that God has for His people: to care for and be of service to one another.

Join me over the next few Wednesdays as I explore Rights VS. Righteous; as I attempt to reveal what God’s expectations are for his people in relation to the laws that govern the land. 

Prayer: Father God we honor you and praise you for your Spirit and the truth found only in you and your Word. We thank you for allowing that Spirit to dwell in us so that your will is done in our lives. We ask forgiveness for the sinful nature that is part of our being human and that you will help us to fight against the sin that easily ensnares. Help prevent us from doing wrong in your eyesight as we seek to spread the light of your love in this world filled with darkness. We pray that you would continue to bless us that we might be a blessing to those around us. We ask this and so many other blessings in the mighty name of Jesus! Amen!

For additional insight read 2 Timothy 3:16, John 14:26, Matthew 22:36-40 

CHOICES

In the beginning, God created man and gave him a choice. Adam was given all access to creation including the one thing that would bring certain death (see Genesis 2:16-17). Instead of adhering to God’s instruction, Adam made a choice to disobey. His disobedience ushered sin into the world and cost mankind dearly.

We are all the sum of the choices we make, whether good or bad. Much like Adam, we are often defined by our choices and must live with the consequences. Whether it is the seemingly insignificant choices we make everyday like to snooze or not to snooze on the alarm clock, the route to work or what to have for breakfast…all are random choices made without much thought.
Then there are the significant choices we must make: choosing a mortgage for a home, the spouse we choose, where we work, or which university to attend if at all.  Our lives are dictated by those decisions. So if God is in control, then what difference do our choices make? Our choices make all the difference in the world, especially when we choose to follow God and His word.
When we made the choice to become followers of Christ, we gave our lives over to an ever-present, all knowing, all powerful and loving God who gave us the freedom to choose Him and have everlasting life. The choice comes with the promise of a relationship that goes beyond mere destiny or fate; we have given ourselves to God and His perfect will for our lives. In His infinite wisdom, He already knows our choices because He knows us. When we know Him, the Holy Spirit guides our decisions and helps us make better choices.
From creation we were meant to be in a relationship with God, getting to know Him as intimately as He knows each of us. Giving us the freedom to choose allows us to develop a relationship that is not forced or demanded; and that relationship when strong and steady, helps us to make wise decisions that are pleasing to the Lord. Sometimes our choices lead to horrendous consequences; but regardless of our choices, His will is ultimately done in our lives. Our choices dictate how far, how long, and how painful the path will be.
Consider the Israelites (see Numbers 14)…it took them 40 years to make an 8 day journey! Why did it take them so long? The journey was extended because they chose to complain instead of praise, they chose to waver in their faith, and they chose to disobey their leader and his God-given commands. As a result, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness until a generation had died off. Once again, death was the result of bad choices.
Imagine how different Adam’s journey would have been, and ours. The Israelites could have traveled those 200+ miles in a week’s time. Think about it, and the next time there is choice to be made…choose God!

Scripture: But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

Prayer: Father God that you will fill us with wisdom to make Godly choices. Open our hearts and minds to receive your word and choose accordingly. No matter what we choose Father, help us to hear from you and honor the path you have set before each of us. Keep us near and protected even when we stray.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Read  Genesis 2 and Numbers 13 & 14 for more insight.