Tag: volition

“Choose Life”

“As the horizon remains constant, the journey each day requires careful judgment. We encounter intersections where responsibilities intersect, understanding is limited, or insight must develop…”

Brent Pollard

“I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30.19 NASB95)

From Moses’ farewell on the plains of Moab to the final verses of the New Testament, Scripture conveys a single message: God offers each generation a clear, dual choice—life in communion with Him or death in estrangement from Him. Joshua pressed the same call: “Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24.15 NASB95). Jesus contrasts the narrow path that leads to life with the broad road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7.13-14), proclaiming, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10.10 NASB95). Paul further distills it: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6.23 NASB). John adds his testimony: “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life” (1 John 5.12 NASB95). The distinction remains clear throughout the ages, and the options persist without alteration.

Yet, in this sacred context, “life” signifies a profound spiritual connection rather than a comfort guarantee. The essence of eternal life is captured in the intimate knowledge of the Father and the Son, as articulated in John 17:3. It is expressed beautifully in the words, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever,” from Psalm 16.11 (NASB95). He warns that tribulation will accompany discipleship (John 16.33). The apostles discovered the secret of contentment in both abundance and scarcity, as their strength was rooted in Christ rather than their situations (Philippians 4.12–13)—a life “hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3.3 NASB95). All the while, God “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1.3)—riches that suffering cannot erode.

As the horizon remains constant, the journey each day requires careful judgment. We encounter intersections where responsibilities intersect, understanding is limited, or insight must develop (Luke 13.10‑17; Acts 16.6‑10; Proverbs 26.4‑5). The sacred writings, the profound love for God and our fellow man, the wisdom bestowed by the Spirit, and the guidance of the body of Christ illuminate our path and direct our course (2 Timothy 3.16-17; Matthew 22.37-40; James 1.5; Proverbs 11:14). “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119.105 NASB95), guiding us step by step. These guardrails protect us from the hard-edged legalism that once blighted the Pharisees and the quicksand of relativism (Mark 9.40; Matthew 23.23).

The Bible’s message is clear and comprehensive: There are two ultimate paths before us, and to follow the path of life, we must embrace a humble heart and the Spirit. Embracing life is not merely a single decision to mark off a list; it is an exquisite act of faithful trust—at times distinct, uncertain, yet always illuminated by the unwavering truth of God’s Word. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6.8 NASB95). With each new dawn comes a gentle reminder—His mercies are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3.22-23)—to take another step toward the God who has already reached out to you. Trust that the One who presents the choice also walks alongside you on this journey.

Is There Free Will?

Andy Wright

Free will has been in the news recently with a neuroscientist, Robert Sapolsky, having recently published a book arguing that there is no free will. Let me set aside the scientific question for a moment and turn first to the Bible because there is a religious argument about free will. I once had a Calvinist professor sum up the debate as follows: “People who believe in free will say the Calvinist god is a tyrant, and the Calvinists say the God of free will is impotent.” While I understand that Calvinists want to protect God’s sovereignty against the implications of human free will (i.e. we can do things God doesn’t want us to do), that summary is lacking. Let’s look at some verses in the Bible that don’t usually come up in the debate on free will, and see what bearing they have:

Commands. God gives many commands throughout the Old and New Testaments—far too many to list exhaustively—but what does a command imply? If I were to command a person to bench press 10,000 pounds, do I seem reasonable? So, the Calvinist god that commands a person not to murder, if that person has no option over whether or not they murder, would be just as unreasonable. The God of the Bible is not unreasonable: “Come now, and let us reason together,” (Isaiah 1:18).

Choose. Most of the time, when the Bible speaks of choices, it speaks of God’s choices. That makes sense because of God’s sovereignty—His choices are certainly stronger than any of ours. However, there are several places where people are called upon to choose one thing over another. In one such place (2 Samuel 24:12), in response to David’s sin regarding a census, God specifically gives David 3 options for punishment and tells him to choose one. If David truly has no free will, then he has no options and no choice, which would make the Calvinist god a liar for telling him he did.

Who did Christ die for? We’re told (Romans 6:10, Hebrews 7:27) that Christ died “once for all.” If there’s no free will, why would Christ have to die for all? Couldn’t He just die for the sins that were going to be forgiven? But that just brings up the closely related question: Who does God want to save? We’re told twice in the Bible (1 Timothy 2:3-4 and 2 Peter 3:9) that God wants everyone to be saved. But we also know that not everyone will be saved (Matthew 7:13-14). The God of free will did make a sacrifice potent enough to cleanse every person that ever was, is, or will be of every sin that they ever committed, but He leaves to us the option of accepting it or rejecting it. The Calvinist god is either a liar again, telling people he wants to save them when he doesn’t, or perhaps he’s just not powerful enough to save everyone, making him the impotent one.

The God of the Bible, who gives us free will, is far more powerful and far more loving. He will allow you to stand against Him, but He’s too strong to be thwarted by any number of us. And even though He allows you to stand against Him, He made the sacrifice to save you so that you can choose to stand with Him. If there’s anyone here who’s been exercising their free will to reject God, consider instead to use your free will in your own best interest and accept God.

The Showdown Between Wisdom And Folly

Friday’s Column: Brent’s Bent

Brent Pollard

Solomon takes two primary approaches in the first nine chapters of Proverbs to encourage us to become wiser. First, Solomon assumes the role of a father instructing his sons to heed his sage counsel (Proverbs 1.8; 4.1). Second, Solomon uses the personification of wisdom as a woman to provide his students with something tangible to follow (Proverbs 1.20; 8.1).  

Regarding this latter approach, Solomon even provides a foil to Lady Wisdom in the personification of folly. So, those who want to become wise have someone to follow and avoid. We have seen Miss Folly wield her influence over men and women in chapters one through eight, nearly coming out of the shadows in the form of the adulteress in Proverbs 7. Yet, in Proverbs 9, Miss Folly comes out into the open to extend her competing invitation alongside Lady Wisdom’s offer. 

Wisdom and Folly compete for the same audience. They both desire to receive the companionship of the naïve and those lacking understanding (9.4). There is no need to compel the righteous or wise as they will already want to be in the companionship of Wisdom (9.8-9). But Wisdom opens her house and has her servants invite people to her feast (9.1-6). 

Wisdom is a gracious hostess. She has a great house with seven pillars. In terms of the identity of these pillars, is it a coincidence that our Lord’s half-brother uses seven adjectives to describe the wisdom from above in James 3.17? If not, the pillars of Wisdom’s house are purity, peace, obedience, industry, impartiality, and sincerity. Indeed, these qualities are not inconsistent with the wisdom Solomon encourages others to possess. And entry into Wisdom’s house multiplies one’s days and adds years to their life (9.11). 

Wisdom does more than send out her servants to garner the most attendants. Instead, she calls out to the people from a high vantage point above the city. Lady Wisdom is proactive in her approach, demonstrating her genuine concern for people. But despite how admirable her actions are, one realizes that she must be passionate because her enemy can accomplish much more while doing less. 

Miss Folly ensures others can see her (9.14), but she does even get up out of her seat. As I read about Miss Folly’s approach, I could not help but think of a prostitute’s solicitation. For example, if one visits Amsterdam’s red-light district, he sees sex workers standing in store-front windows as if on display in lingerie, smiling and flirting with the passersby. Yes, if someone walks through the red-light district, he knows what he wants. I believe Miss Folly likely realizes this as well. 

One has to put forth no effort to remain naïve. The wisdom-averse can continue to scoff and act wickedly (9.7). However, this one believes Miss Folly when she says, “Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant” (9.17 NASB1995). In other words, Miss Folly requires no discipline from her guests. They do not have to reform themselves or strive to do and be better.  

Miss Folly would be nothing more than a nuisance if it weren’t for her boisterousness attracting the attention of even those attempting to keep their paths straight (9.13-15). But, as Christians know, the alternative to the “strait gate” and narrow way is that colloquial “highway to hell” (Matthew 7.13-14). Solomon warns us that Miss Folly’s houseguests end up in the depths of Sheol (9.18). That is reason enough to avoid Miss Folly and attend Lady Wisdom’s feast. 

We must choose which invitation to accept. We will listen to Lady Wisdom, who has done a lot of planning and always keeps her promises. Or Lady Folly, who promises much but delivers nothing? The choice should be obvious.   

Examining Choices

[Note: With Carl getting married tomorrow, we are pinch-hitting for him this week.]

davesteeves

Dave Steeves

Choices. We all make them, some good, some bad, and if you’re anything like me, it seems sometimes we make  more bad than good.

In the book of Judges, we see some of the choices Samson made. It is clearly understood that Samson was set-apart by God before he was even conceived. You see, God had plans for Sampson. He was to be a Nazirite, meaning he would not drink wine or any other fermented drink. He could not make himself ceremonially unclean by coming in contact with a dead body. His head was also not to be touched by a razor.

Not only did Samson touch a dead animal but he ate honey from the lion’s carcass. Not long after that he threw a feast in a vineyard of all places. And to top it all off, he tells his wife the secret to his great strength is in his hair so she has his head shaved, breaking yet another Nazarite Vow.

Clearly, these are all bad choices that should’ve been evident to him. But, even though Sampson had broken these vows and would end up in chains because of them, God was able to use him. Samson delivered a mighty blow when he brought down the temple killing the Philistine rulers and himself.

You see, Samson was set aside by God but was still just a sinful human, not perfect by anyone’s standards. We too are sinful and set aside by God for a purpose. That purpose is to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). Matthew 28:19 tells us,  “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.”
This instruction is given to all believers. If you are a Christian, this responsibility is yours, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Our responsibility as Christians never stops. As long as we have breath in us we are to spread the good news. I am sure that some will say that God cannot use them, that they consider ourselves unworthy or unqualified.
Well guess what? God can and will use us in ways we can’t imagine. God will use each and everyone of us to further his kingdom if we just allow his will to be done in our lives. If we rely on our own strength we will fail, but if we trust in God and his strength we can’t fail. His promises are steadfast and never ceasing. All we have to do is trust in him and we can all do great things.

We read in Isaiah 41:10:  “So do not fear, for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God‘s strength is available to all of us right now. I urge all of us  to take a look inside ourselves. Are we committed to the work of being a Christian? And if we aren’t, why not?
God is with us, ready and willing.  Won’t you let your loving father use you today? Allow Him to work through you to complete His good work. I can think of any no greater honor than to have God‘s will done in my life. Let’s make the choice!

steeves



 

 

PRODIGIES OR PRISONERS?

Neal Pollard

There is a video clip all over the internet showing five very young children playing an incredible piece, each with full-sized guitars.  Not only is it a complicated piece, “Our Kindergarten Teacher,” but their synchronized performance from the play to the choreography, is mind-boggling.  The children are from North Korea, leaving many to speculate whether this is a group of children with enormous desire and natural ability or a group of children playing for their and their parents’ lives.  The talent is rare and undeniable, but the hope is that this is born of choice and not coercion.

 

There have been people in nations and societies who have been brainwashed, blackmailed, bullied, and beaten to force their compliance in one way or another.  While such tactics may produce the results desired by those in positions of power, they usually control the body without winning the heart.  No child, spouse, employee, citizen, or other person wants to be made to do what they do or prevented from actions and behaviors without the exercise of their own free will.

 

While a Christian is one who has submitted to the will and Lordship of Christ, God has made this completely voluntary.  There are extreme consequences involved in not giving one’s life to Him and great reward for one who does, but He has made us with the freedom to choose.  Men and women have done tremendous acts of Christian service and have even made the ultimate sacrifice for Christ, but not as His prisoners without volition.  What sets Christianity apart from other religions is this very thing, that people love and revere Him so much that they are willing to lay down their lives for Him.  True Christianity is not based on one trying to earn salvation.  Paul says our salvation is “not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:9).  Christianity does not thrive and grow through guilt, manipulation, terror, or brute force.  Instead, this occurs when people truly get ahold of the depth of God’s love and the value of His sacrifice.  For those with good and honest hearts, this produces obedience and “good works” (Eph. 2:10).  Let us understand why we serve Him—not because we are pushed but because we are passionate to reciprocate His love!