2 Corinthians 5:11 – “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.”
As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, my heart overflowed. It seems that lately, in every session with the Lord and His Word, the matter of CHOICE comes up. God is challenging people to make a choice. It is “All In” or “Not In.” We may deceive ourselves about where we stand, but as Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:11, “What we are is known to God.”
In 1 Kings 18, we have the face-off between Elijah and 850 pagan prophets on Mt. Carmel. The challenge to them was, “Put up or shut up.” The challenge to the people was, “Make a choice. All in or All out.” God has no in-between.
When Elisha was waiting for Elijah to be taken to heaven, he made the persistent choice to persist. Elijah tested him three times, and Elisha refused to be deterred each time. When God took Elijah in the whirlwind, and his mantle fell to the ground, it did not fall on Elisha; it fell on the ground. To have the mantle, Elisha had to make a choice and take action. The anointing is not automatic. He had to go and take up the mantle. God gives us opportunities, but we have to choose to pursue them. It is never forced; it is allowed.
Something interesting is in the account in 2 Kings 4, where the stew was poisoned with wild gourds. “O man of God, there is death in the pot.” This is about more than a meal in the natural.
When false doctrine gets mixed into the teaching of the church, what do we do? Often, we throw everything out and kill the cook. What did Elisha do? He put in flour (truth) and served the stew. Not only did he preserve the stew, but it was multiplied to feed everyone with leftovers.
The Gospel is an endless supply. God’s truth overcomes and de-poisons error. We do not have to throw everything away and kill the one who errs. God is greater than that, and God desires restoration wherever and whenever possible.
We need the veil removed so we can become transformed. What we focus on, we become. If our focus is on error, we will fall into error. If our focus is truth, truth will transform us. We are New Creations, not modifications. God wants to transform us and is waiting for us to make the choice to receive the exchanged life! If we keep believing the lie, we become the lie.
Choice! Make the Choice!
