It is a sobering fact that we daily make decisions, and then our decisions make us! Most of life’s decisions are determined amidst three basic arenas: the principles we choose to keep; the people with whom we choose to associate; and the laws we decide to obey. Knowing even Truth is futile unless we decide to do it! Also, it is important to remember that not to decide is to decide!!

Many years ago in The New York Observer these words were written: “A true Christian living in the world is like a ship sailing on the ocean. It is not the ship being in the water which will sink it, but the water getting into the ship. So, in like manner, the Christian is not ruined by living in the world, which he must do whilst he remains in the body, but by the world living in him! The world in the heart has ruined millions of immortal souls. How careful is the mariner to guard against leakage, lest the water entering into the vessel should, by imperceptible degrees, cause the vessel to sink; and ought not the Christian to watch and pray, lest Satan and the world should find some unguarded inlet to his heart?”¹

If the world of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life (cf. I John 2:15) has settled in your heart, rest assured that you made the decision for those traits to be there! One God given freedom each one possesses is the freedom to decide! Many things may be brought to your attention, but you decide what lingers! If salacious sin settles in your soul and spirit, you invited it to lodge there! Paul proves that in these words: “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).

Any soul who wants to be free from sin finds the solution in these words expressed to God: “Thy Word I have treasured in my heart that I may not sin against Thee” (Psa. 119:11). If you have not harbored His Word in your heart, Scripture asks: “...Why do you delay? Arise, and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name?” (Acts 22:16). If your sins were once in that manner forgiven, but you decided to invite sin back into your bodily dwelling (cf. Matt. 12:43-45), God’s mercy is again extended to any penitent, sin-confessing soul (John 1:8-10; James 5:16). One just needs to decide once again by selecting the Lord's love and law rather than more lusting, that would lead you to be lost! Deciding to do right consistently leads to delight! Regardless, be assured that the decision is yours, but Divinity determines your destiny ( II Cor. 5:10; John 12:48; Matt. 25:46).

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¹Theo. L. Cuyler, ed., Golden Thoughts on Mother, Home and Heaven, E.B. Treat, New Yourk, 1878, p.327.