Our Choices...Make Us

A pig ate his fill of acorns under an oak tree and then started to root around the tree. A crow remarked, "You should not do this. If you lay bare the roots, the tree will wither and die." "Let it die," said the pig. "Who cares as long as there are acorns?"   -Bits & Pieces, February, 1990, p. 24.

Consequences. Robert Lewis Stevenson, the great 19th century Scottish novelist who wrote the classics Treasure Island, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde said, "Sooner or later everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences." Galatians 6:7 tells us that "a man reaps what he sows."  And of course, the time-honored, "What goes around comes around."

What are the implications for us, especially as followers of Christ? Let's use ourselves as an example. The person that you see in the mirror is the result of your past experiences. You may not like what you see, but as they say, "It is what it is!" Everything we are today (our position, character, attitude, etc.) is the result of things we have done.

I know it isn't the easiest thing to do, but we need to take ownership of things we have done. It's easy to blame our parents, society, environment, or a dozen other reasons. But, these things impact us only as much as we let them. The responsibility is ours to own up to. God will command that we do so one day (2 Corinthians 5:10).

I must admit, this all sounds pretty dreary. Still, there is some encouraging news! We can begin by looking at this from another angle. What I'm suggesting is that what we are tomorrow, will be the result of what we do today. It's not too late to change! (2 Corinthians 5:17).

There's only one small detail. This kind of change happens very slowly (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:1-2). It takes time and perseverance. But, you have to change how you do things today, if you want better results down the road. Thus, you become what you do!
   
The apostle Paul used the agricultural  principle of sowing and reaping to illustrate his point in Galatians 6:7. In actuality, we have two choices; both determine "what we reap". As a matter of fact, we're not sad victims of fate, bad luck or even predestination. Our destiny is determined by our decision: shall we "sow" to the sinful nature (the flesh), or to the Spirit?

Concisely speaking, sowing to please the flesh will always result in a harvest of destruction; a destruction of relationships with others, and with God (Galatians 5:15, 26). On the other hand, sowing to please the Spirit means "serving one another in love" (Galatians 5:13), restoring one who has been caught in sin (Galatians 6:1), carrying the burdens of others (Galatians 6:2), giving generously to those who teach in the church (Galatians 6:6) and doing good to all (Galatians 6:9). The harvest of sowing to the Spirit is eternal life.

As of yet, we haven't experienced total harmony in these relationships. This is because the battle between the Spirit and the sinful nature rages on. However, those who proceed to grow in these relationships by the power of the Spirit will ultimately experience the fullness of eternal life; perfect harmony in relationship with God and others.

Consider that every choice has a consequence. If one makes wise, godly decisions, they can expect  to be rewarded by God for their faithfulness. If one makes hasty or sinful choices, they can expect unfavorable consequences (Gal. 6:7-8).

“We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us.”  -Ken Levine, writer/director

God bless you!

Lori