And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. (Joshua 24:15 ESV)
Choices
My dog does not always want to go outside when I ask him the phrase, “wanna go outside?” But he is trained. He sulks, walks slowly, and finally stands ready for me to open the door. It SEEMS like I am asking him a question, but I am not really giving him a choice.
He is just a dog.
And while King Jesus has every right to demand that we do what HE wants us to do, He surprisingly gives us a choice.
But Jesus is amazingly kind and understanding.
Predestination aside, Jesus gives us choices.
Not because we can outsmart Him, or out guess Him, or out maneuver Him…
Not because we know more than HE does what is best for us…
Not because we have some power over Him that He bows to in giving us choices…
But because He is THAT powerful, THAT loving, THAT wise, and THAT undemanding…
The Israelites were given choices… and the choices they made did not turn out as they expected. Yet their choices led to the Messiah, sin’s defeat, death’s end, and the Kingdom of God being fully manifested.
Jesus shows His power by giving us choices that no one else would or does.
Jesus shows His love by giving us choices that no one else would or does.
Jesus shows His providence by giving us choices that no one else would or does.
He alone gives us freedom, and guarantees that our freedom will lead us to Him.