It is our ability to choose that sets us apart from the rest of God’s creation. In fact Jesus was so emphatic about maintaining our freedom of choice that He purchased us from the slave market. We might think God’s intention was to bind us with rules and laws but not so. Our forefather Adam forfeited human freedom by selling us into slavery to sin and the devil but Jesus paid to set us free. His purchase was very unique. Even though we are legally owned by Him, He never removed our choice to acknowledge His transaction. He wants us to remain free even if that means choosing another master. Though He wants to be our only master it requires that we serve Him willingly. He will not share us with another master but always maintains our freedom of choice. Unlike other slave owners He will not round us all up, strap us to a boxcar and ship us off to His plantation. He desires all who serve Him to do so by their own choice through a heart of love.
One would think if He paid such a price to make us His own that He would demand our allegiance. But our choice is highly valuable to Him because it is the only factor that separates those who love their master from those who serve out of fear and obligation. God’s love for us does not involve debt or obligation. True love can not be obligated or demanded, it must be freely given. Jesus freely gave His life and now He wants us to freely give ours to Him.
Having said all that, we must understand it is our choice that will determine who we serve and where we will spend eternity. Some suggest God sends people to hell but that is not true. The only way we end up in hell is if we choose to reject God and heaven. Our escape from the slave master of sin and hell is to acknowledge that Jesus Christ so loved us that He took our place in punishment and death that we might go free. All we have to do is accept what He has already accomplished and confess Him as our Master and Savior.
Some may think they are too far gone and could never walk with God. Others say they have tried serving Jesus and it didn’t work out. The good news is Jesus Christ has more grace toward us than we do toward our self. When we fail we often give up trying but Jesus calls us lovingly to His side to empower us to walk in freedom. Life can be like a rut that we have walked in for many years. We may find our self slipping back into that old rut again and again but our loving master is so kind and patient that He is always ready to help the fallen to rise up and go again. Walking with Jesus is a life long love encounter with God. I can not imagine Him giving up on us after paying such an enormous price with His blood.
God has put before us the option to either choose life or death, blessing or cursing. He admonishes us to “choose life that both we and our children might live.” (See Deuteronomy 30:19)
Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and that more abundantly.”
Choose Him today!!
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