VALLEY OF DECISION PART II Kay Keith Peebles 2/15/2019 19.05
Decisions are made long before the consequences manifest. Our choices are the result of a mindset which has been formulated over the length of our lifetime. We will not be prepared to accept the consequences of our actions unless we are properly disciplined in our formative years. Studies of the teenage brain have shown there is an inability to reason the proper effect of consequences from their actions. Maturity regarding actions/consequences eventually comes in their early 20’s. That does not mean they are absolved of all accountability of experiencing the consequences of their actions. Consequences help to teach us the proper parameters by which we must live. See Valley of Decision (Part I).
Our decisions and actions not only affect ourselves, they also affect others. Therefore, it is impossible for a society to function and flourish without laws or boundaries. Freedom comes with boundaries while the purpose of laws is to guide and protect all. For example, a person has the right to smoke because it is not against the law to do so. Many do smoke despite the fact that smoking can cause cancer which can be one of its many consequences. We live in a “free” country and one can make their own decision about smoking. However, their freedom must be limited in public spaces because the smoker and the asthmatic share the same air. Those who smoke do so for their pleasure. Those who have asthma must have clean air to live. Therefore, laws which limit smoking in public arenas are fair and just because we must all share the air we breathe.
Anyone 21 or older is allowed to drink alcoholic beverages but there are laws against drinking and driving. When an inebriated person drives a car they have the potential of seriously injuring or killing others. Today if a drunk driver kills someone they can be imprisoned because they committed manslaughter. They made the decision to drink and drive even though they knew the possible consequences of their actions. Laws are necessary for those who either cannot or will not rule over themselves.
The Lord God established His kingdom by making laws (boundaries) for His people as a good, loving father would do. The Ten Commandments are the laws which the Lord gave Moses on Mt. Sinai. See Deuteronomy Chapter 5.
The first three commandments address the proper way we treat the Lord and the last seven speak about God’s standard for moral purity and personal integrity regarding others. God’s boundaries of right and wrong are not only His protection for the well-being and longevity of His people but also for guiding them safely to their eternal destination. It is imperative for us to live within His established parameters in order to abide in peace with ourselves, with others and most importantly with God. His entire law can be read in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
In Deuteronomy Chapters 28 and 30 the Lord has given us His parameters for righteous living. One choice brings extravagant blessing and the other eternal destruction. He clearly lays out the consequences of our choices which culminate in a declaration. “I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life that you and your descendants may live and may love the Lord your God, obey His voice and cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20.
The Book of Romans instructs us that believers in Jesus are not justified by their works; they are justified by faith in Jesus’ death for our sins. His sinless life fulfilled the law of God while His substitutionary death paid the penalty for our sins. Therefore, we are saved by grace God has extended to all who believe in Him. That does not release us from the responsibility to practice righteousness (the Law) by being filled with and obeying the Holy Spirit’s leading. We are charged to walk in the Spirit and not the dictates of our fleshly lusts. We are also challenged to be holy as He is holy. See 1 Peter 1:16. “But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature).” Galatians 5:16-17.
When that is accomplished, we will possess the nine fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites. If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].” Galatians 5:22-25.
Jesus began to prepare His disciples for His death and resurrection but He also told them He would return at the end of the age. His disciples asked Him what would be happening in the world at the time of His return. Matthew Chapter 24 was His answer. We can see it happening right now before our very eyes. Toward the end of the chapter Jesus gave the parable of the days of Noah and the householder. “Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day your Lord is coming. But understand this: had the householder known in what [part of the night, whether in a night or a morning] watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be undermined and broken into. You also must be ready therefore, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.” Matthew 24:42-44. See Matthew 24 entirely.
Jesus then follows His warning to the church in Chapter 25 with the parable of the 10 virgins. “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish (thoughtless, without forethought) and five were wise (sensible, intelligent, and prudent). For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil along with them [also] with their lamps. While the bridegroom lingered and was slow in coming, they all began nodding their heads, and they fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him! Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for out lamps are going out. But the wise replied, there will be not enough for us and for you; go instead to the dealers and buy for yourselves. But while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us! But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you]. Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come.” Matthew 25:1-13.
The Lord’s return is very soon! The Biblical prophecies of Israel and the end times began to unfold in 1948 when they came back from 2,000 years of being dispersed among the nations and returned to their Promised Land. Again, in 1967 Jerusalem became their capitol city. The time clock of the Lord’s return is counting down and we can see the signs in the world today. It is imperative we understand that our decisions and actions regarding our preparation for His return in this hour are critical. We cannot compromise His Word or live by a false grace that says our morality doesn’t matter.
Isaiah 5:20 is a prophetic warning to our generation. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent and shrewd in their own sight! Woe to those who are mighty heroes at drinking wine and men of strength in mixing alcoholic drinks!—Who justify and acquit the guilty for a bribe, but take away the rights of the innocent and righteous from them!…because they have rejected and cast away the law and the teaching of the Lord of hosts and have not believed but have treated scornfully and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 5:20-24 (See entire chapter).
We are experiencing this in the news every day. God is allowing the polarizing of sides (good/evil) but we are not talking about politics. He is sifting the hearts of men and women to see where they stand in regard to His Lordship and His Holy Word. Many are living compromised lives totally unaware of the fact that their decisions today will influence the outcome of their eternity. Please refer back to Valley of Decision (Part I) if you haven’t read it. One compromise doesn’t seem like much but it is the beginning of a slippery slope. The second compromise is easier and so on until the conscience becomes so seared and scarred it is unable to discern truth. See Romans 1:17-25+.
It is good to ask the question: am I true to the faith in God I have professed? Am I living a righteous and holy lifestyle? Am I preparing my heart for the day I may have to die for my faith by studying His word and holding fast to my confession of faith? If our answers alarm us it is a good thing. The Lord is gracious and filled with loving kindness. We can begin again today, right now by asking the Lord to forgive us for compromising His Word. We can affirm our faith in Him and ask the Holy Spirit to fill us to overflowing with new life in Jesus Christ. It is not too late to turn back to God. When we do, His peace will flood us and sustain us. We can be secure in Him, knowing we will not be terrified in the Valley of Decision when He comes back. He’s coming for us!
