a refresher of the Christian faith

concluding part.

 

THE POWER OF CHOICE

The redemption story.

 

By Isaiah-Phillips Akintola

 

Understanding the sin tragedy

 I used to make this statement that we can never get to fully understand the gravity of sin, or what it did to the human nature until we precisely identify where man fell from, and what man fell into. Man fell from the position of glory according to the scripture, and we can identify that man also fell into himself. Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; The self-life, which eventually leads to judgement and destruction is what man inherited by yielding to the voice of the serpent.  Man wanted to be wiser than he already his. Adam was not satisfied and secured in who is and what the father has deposited in him, so he opted for the false counsel of Lucifer

The meaning of dominion and authority

Regardless of how we are able to exercise power and authority over things and others, if we are however unable to use such authority to restrain or constrain our own inner desires and appetites, we will eventually fail in our relationship with God and man. The dominion given to Adam was to start with him being able to subjugate (his will and desire) himself under the dominion and authority of the father.  Exercising restrain and dominion over our personal lives is the highest degree of spiritual government and maturity.  Our ability to exercise spiritual authority means nothing if we are unable to submit to the authority of God, regardless of the need.

The test of moral virtue

The test of Adam’s moral virtue and authority was to prove to himself and the powers of darkness that he is better than Satan and the fallen angels. It was clear that the lord was not attempting to tempt Adam by creating these two special trees call the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam, like the rest of the sons of God were created with the power of choice.

The ability for Adam and the rest of the sons of God like the cherubim and seraphim to have the ability to freely choose to serve and worship the father is of the greatest decisions the father made in the expression of righteouness and soverignty. This, of cause, was how Lucifer, Son of the morning was able to persuade one third of the angels to follow his rebellion against his creator.

The opportunity we all have

Adam’s opportunity to choose the instruction of the father was not really design to merely test his allegiance or commitment in obeying the will of The father, like many theologians and spiritual leaders have suggested. No. The power of choice was given to him to prove to himself and the rest of creation, including Satan that he has developed his ability to restrain himself from whatever form of temptation he may face. The word of God clearly state that the lord cannot be tempted by evil nor does he tempt anyone by evil. We are only tempted when we are dragged away by our own lust.

 

James 1:13-14   Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Let’s not forget that Adam and Eve were not only created in the image and likeness of God but that they constantly enjoy fellowship with the father, so one would naturally assume to think they would swing their choice to obey what they were told regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Nevertheless, it was not so. Man chose a different pathway. A pathway to follow a self-driven inclination contrary to the desired will of his father.

Adam’s self-centered choice

He made a choice to listen and follow the lustful and deceptive voice of the fallen of the arch angel by submitting to his already persuaded (wife) soul. The choice Adam made on that day brought him to the place where him and his wife were cast out of Eden. Every nanosecond of life is stirred and driven my choice. Whatever choice we make, will ultimately determine the direction and outcome of your life, and that of many within and around our world.

We cannot live life without choice. Yet, choice must be made from a well of knowledge that exist beyond the confined of the immediate needs and desire of our lives. Adam made a choice by listening to his selfish desire that lead the whole of creation into bondage.

The power given to us can only be effectively used as believers, if we learnt to relinquish our will, the place of choice making to the wisdom of the lord. While many will be concern about sharing some big revelation about Easter. I would rather take a simpler, but yet, a profound view to examine the question of how our choice affect our entire existence in this season.

 

Easter, an opportunity to retrospect

The revelation of Easter is the life of Christ, and the choice he made to pay the ultimate sacrifice for you and me and the entire human race. Easter is not about some religious dietary tradition not to eat meat, or more so, to follow some Roman Catholic Church dogma. It has always been the plan of the enemy to distort truth for some old wife fable. I still do remember asking folks back then when I was still pastoring, could you give me a bible reference to the whole issue why you must only eat fish on Easter? While people may say, well, it really doesn’t matter.

After all, it’s just a day’s event. what difference does it make? The issue however is, if you can choose to follow a popular tradition that carries no biblical truth or value, that already speaks volume regards to your faith quality. this note is addressing the issue of choice. If you cannot make choice about little things or what seem innocent, how can you make the right choice when it comes to the issue of life and death, or the advancement of the kingdom of God.

The choice Jesus made

Jesus Christ chose to come to earth, living his glory to die for you is not a church nor societal tradition. That is the most important reality that will under-guard the rest of the choice and decisions you will ever make in life.  And if you’re not sure of what you believe, it’s becomes very easy for you to be easily deceived or persuaded by anyone to follow what they believe. The death of Christ on the cross was to completely destroy the sin nature and everything that comes with sin so you can walk in the reality of a new culture, tradition and the power of new identity in Christ kingdom.

The questions you must ask yourself

Having said this, the question you should be asking yourself is, to what extent has the revelation of the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross affected and changed your life and world perception.  Secondly, to what degree of the choice of Jesus Christ transformed your narration and understanding of his unfailing love caused you to love others, and live a life of true kingdom representative.

While some of us may be basking in the beauty of being called a Christian, or even serving in some local church community. However, to what degree has the revelation of Christ reformed your life to the extent that your lifestyle is completely reformed and transformed for Christ glory. Have you genuinely decided to follow Christ and the ways of his kingdom, or are you merely going through some religious rituals call Christianity?

Please note that your purpose of serving Christ is to daily follow his voice and will, even at that the seemliest complex and difficult situation. The truth is, if you are merely pretending to be a Christian, when the enemy comes to test your faith or power of choice then you are going to realize how you’ve played the fool. Adam could not be found truly faithful, even though he had power, authority and dominion. He lacked the restraining strength to say no to his appetite and of cause, the enemy.

The ancient war is still the same today

The ancient battle Adam faced in the garden is still the same today. Regardless of the race, position, culture or belief, you and I will be faced with the decision of making the right choice, and the choice you make will determine the next cause of your life’s outcome. The irony is, no human being without the transformed nature of Christ living in them can make the right choice. No matter how hard they try to be considerate and thoughtful in their decision, there would always be that element of human limitation.

 Addressing the ability to choose right

One of the reasons why Christ died on the cross is to help us deal with this weak condition of choice making. The book of Romans chapter 7 shows us the degree of this human weakness and chapter 8 showed us how to eventually walk in freedom. This condition has been inherited through the carnal nature of the first man. However, the second man,who is also known as the last Adam has now given us another opportunity to be rebirth from that carnal nature inherited in Adam.

1 Corinthians chapter 15 gives clear insight into the principle of the exchange of our nature. Ephesians chapter 2 and 3 further informs us how this spiritual transaction took place, and how we can actually transit from the old nature into the new man in Christ. It is from this new position of a higher superior life that we can make quality decision that will positively change and transform the narrative of our past life.

Believe me, like I said earlier, this is not about you mere saying you are a Christian while you know deep down in your heart that you’ve actually not truly committed your soul-will and desire to Christ. The lord cannot be mocked. The fruit of your life will always speak to you personally about who is in charge of your life. Being born of God is not a child’s play or game. This is not some trendy thing happening today; this is the very demand of the father for all of his creation if we must enter his kingdom.  No one can truly please him or make decision that will positively impact his family or community without the Indwelling nature of Christ.

My commendation

So recommit your desire and ways to Christ, and he will give you the grace and strength to make the right choice for him. Be determined to follow him to the end and your life will be filled with joy and peace. It’s time you start ascending in the revelation of Christ. Don’t ever forget that these principles are the portal to walking in the life and power of the second man, the last Adam:

Crucifixion, death, burial resurrection and Ascension.

Peace to all those who love to see the appearance of our Lord in their fresh and this generation.