The Choice to Christ

With the constant call of temptation around every corner, we can often feel helpless and a captive to its alluring call. Many times we want to get far away from temptation as possible, but then there are times when we don’t want to say ‘no.’ We make the choice to give into temptation and give birth to sin – repeating a constant cycle that wears us down, places us in harm’s way, and pulls us outside of God’s perfect will.

Just as we make the decision to give into sin, we can make the decision to say ‘no’ to sin. Please understand that there’s not enough strength in the world for you to say ‘no’ on your own, but through Christ, His grace and power will make up the difference in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)…but it all begins with a choice. We must want to change!

God will not make you live right (for if He could, the whole world would be believers). We must choose to live for Him and depend upon His grace to teach us (Titus 2:11-14). When we depend upon our own strength, the journey seems tougher, the trials are much more difficult, and we fall more often. It is the grace of God that keeps us from the destructive behaviors of sin. As we depend upon God’s grace, we can experience an empowerment to say ‘no’ to sin, turn from evil paths, and walk upright.

God’s grace does not give us the license to sin more, thinking we will be forgiven or empowered more. God’s grace is a license to live in the freedom Jesus died to give and to help us live before God righteously (Romans 6:1-2).

The decision to choose Christ over temptation seems like a ‘no-brainer,’ but there are millions of people that struggle over that decision everyday…even now! Please pray for them now…

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I know what it means to struggle over the decision to serve you over temptation. Forgive me for my sins of disobedience and help me to live for you. I ask that your grace will be poured out upon me and those that struggle to live for you. Teach us to fear You, love You, and to be obedient to You and Your precious Word. Empower us to stand unashamed and righteously in Your presence. Strengthen the lives of all who read this message and may Your power be made perfect in their weaknesses. I thank You for Your Son Jesus and the sacrifice He made for us. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

^{Photo courtesy of freeimages.com/Stephen Tainton}