The tree in the Garden of Eden revealed the nature of our freedom to choose. By the free will bestowed on us, we can choose obedience or we can choose rebellion. And we continue to make those choices every day.
Sometimes we face decisions that could change the direction our spiritual life. The Bible gives us accounts of people in these pivotal situations and then doesn’t tell us what they decided.
In the short letter to Philemon, Paul asked him to receive back a runaway slave named Onesimus. And not just to welcome him back without punishment but now as a brother in Christ. If you had been betrayed and stolen from, what would you do?
Jesus tells the parable of a prodigal son. But in fact the father had two sons. At the end of the parable, the father invites the older brother to join in the joy and celebration. This would require him to put aside resentment and entitlement. The story stops there. God leaves that as a choice for us, too. We can nurse our bitterness or rejoice with Him. What will you do?
The churches named in Revelation were given dire warnings about the path they were on. Jesus told them to repent and correct course or they would suffer the consequences prophesied. Did they? When the Spirit confronts and convicts you, are you resigned to your path and the consequences associated? Or are you willing to make a hard change and return to your first Love?
The Bible doesn’t tell us how Philemon responded, but history tells us there was a young man named Onesimus that became pastor to Ephesus and worked with Paul. And what about those churches of Revelation? There is historical evidence of healthy, thriving churches in several of these locations a century and more later. At least some of them listened. The open end to the story always leaves a place for hope. There is still the chance to make a good decision.
No matter where you are in life, your story isn’t complete. God shows us a choice, but doesn’t force the conclusions. From the daily small decisions that pave our path to the life changing ones that establish a direction, we are free to choose. How will you respond?
I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. Psalm 119:45
