The shoe company Nike has the world-famous slogan of “Just Do It”. In the world of athletics, as in so many other places, talk can be cheap. An athlete might talk a good game, but unless that athlete can produce on the court or on the field, it is just an abundance of hot air. Soon they are not really taken seriously. Now while I might appreciate Nike’s idea of doing and not just talking, it is much better to look at the statements of others, like the prophet Daniel, when developing life principles.
DANIEL’S DECISION. When Daniel was around 15 years old, he was unceremoniously hauled from his safe home in Jerusalem to the spiritually dangerous confines of Babylon. There, along with some other young men from Judea, Daniel was to be trained by the Babylonians in the sciences, culture, and language of his captors. However, soon after arriving in that hostile environment, Daniel made a decision. The Bible says that “Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself…” (Dan. 1:8). Scholars debate some of the details of this, but what is very clear is that Daniel, at that moment in Babylonian captivity, made an important decision. In fact, potentially it was a life-or-death kind of decision because no foreigner, like young Daniel, should dare defy the powerful Babylonians, especially if one wanted to view the next sunrise. But this Daniel did. That decision made by Daniel to remain loyal to his God set the tone for the rest of his life and made it possible to be greatly used by God.
DECISIONS DECIDE. I cannot think of any believer that I have known in my life, who lived faithfully and consistently and made some impact (great or small) for the Lord Jesus, who did not make some serious decisions in their lives. Decisions are not everything, but they are very often the important starting point. They set us on a new course in life as they might be crucial in getting rid of sins and certain habits or behaviors that keep us from becoming “vessels of honor” (2 Tim. 2:20-22). These decisions frequently help establish new sets of godly priorities and principles. For example, they might change the way money is used, or the way time is spent, or what relationships need to be cultivated or significantly adjusted. Without making some of these clear decisions, many believers live life on a sub-standard plane, without real joy or purpose. This spiritual mediocrity, unfortunately, seems to characterize too many of God’s children. Again, just making a decision may not be anything more than “cheap talk.” Disciplined follow up is normally required.
DECISIONS THAT DICTATE THE COURSE OF LIFE. At the end of Joshua’s life, he stood before the people of Israel and said: “choose this day whom you will serve” (Josh. 24:15). To really do this required that they “put away the foreign gods that are among you” (Josh. 24:23). The people chose to follow the Lord God and responded to Joshua saying, “we will serve the Lord for He is our God” (Josh. 24:21). And they did. For well over a decade those people followed and served the Lord. And they were blessed by the Lord their God. The next generation, however, chose not to serve the Lord and went after other gods. The result was that they lost many of God’s blessings and brought terrible pain and negativity into life.
For we who are believers in Jesus, a similar choice is given by Jesus Himself. He can be the Lord and Master of our lives, or not. Contrary to some theological ideas, the believer in Jesus Christ does not automatically become a bondservant of Christ at the moment of regeneration. Salvation is simple, but discipleship is demanding. How we decide will determine how meaningful our lives will be. Jesus taught that four things are essential in making that decision (Luke 9:23; 14:25-35). First, a person must want to be His disciple (bondservant). Jesus never forces anyone to become one. Second, a believer must deny himself (a vow that Jesus will be Lord of life—a one-time decision with continuing results like a marriage vow). Third, a believer daily must be willing to identify with Christ (living according to His righteous principles). And fourth, a believer must “say good-bye” to everyone and everything so that there is nothing that will rival a loyalty to Christ. Jesus may not take those persons or things out of life, but the believer must go through the process of making sure Jesus has no competition from them. Three times in Luke 14, Jesus declares that “you cannot be My disciple” if these are not done. It is highly doubtful that a believer can become a bondslave by walking an aisle after a 25-minute devotional. However, this is a monumental decision that shapes all of life.
MANY AND VARIED DECISIONS. As we are well aware, the New Testament has many, many commands which require a decision on our part. How we decide does influence how will life will go for us. We can choose to obey or choose to ignore them. There are consequences either way. Here a just a few of the hundreds of examples that could be given.
- Bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2)
- Don’t live like the unsaved (Eph. 4:17)
- Put off the old self and put on the new self (Eph. 4:20-22)
- Be kind and forgiving when dealing with people (Eph. 4:32)
- Husbands love your wives and wives submit to your own husbands (Eph. 5:25)
- Be humble and look out for the interests of others (Phil. 2:3-4)
- Love your neighbor (James 2:8)
- Etc. etc. etc.
DECISIONS AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. As stated previously, decisions are important but there must be follow-up with the doing. And therein lies the challenge. Many of us have experienced setbacks after resolving to do and obey. Our willpower was not enough. The Apostle Paul gives encouraging counsel when he tells us that though our flesh is very powerful as is the world system and Satan, the indwelling Holy Spirit is far more powerful. He teaches that if we walk in the Spirit empowerment will be there. Jesus called Him “the Spirit of truth” because the Holy Spirit works through the truth of God. We walk by the Spirit when we understand and live by God’s truth. So, when we decide to follow and serve Christ in any given area, we can actually do so because of the guidance and power of the Spirit. Perfection will always elude us in this life, but we will experience many successes in the Christian life because of the Word of God and the empowering Spirit of God.
DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS. When we calmly and quietly examine our lives, we do detect areas where things could be better, and where decisions ought to be made. And when such matters are observed, how wise it is to face them. Ignoring or pretending they do not exist really never works. Here are a few examples.
- You are dealing with a strained or broken relationship. It probably will not heal itself. It would seem that you need to make a decision to actively pursue reconciliation; to forgive; or make some needed restitution.
- You are dealing with constant sensuality and/or pornography. You would need to make the decision to “flee” (1 Cor. 6:18) these things. Satan and the culture will make sure that exposure will be there. This mean staying away from the sources, such as TV, the internet, immoral individuals and all such traps.
- You are dealing with marital tensions and unpleasantness. You would need to decide to focus on obeying God’s commands to you and not focus on the failures and inadequacies of your spouse.
- You are dealing with regular financial stress. You likely would need to choose to obey God’s directives about money; such as staying out of debt, giving generously, rejecting the enticements of the culture to buy, buy, buy.
MAKING NEEDED DECISIONS. It is highly unlikely that there will be significant progress in the Christian life without making necessary decisions. It is highly unlikely that we will be guided and empowered by the Spirit without first choosing to follow God’s directives. It is highly unlikely that we will experience the freedom, peace, and contentment that could be ours if we don’t face reality and determine, like Daniel, to do things God’s way. As wise, old Joshua said to the people of Israel: “the choice is yours”. And so, it is for you and me.