WHAT’S YOUR CHOICE? The Power of the Path You Take

At every crossroads, there is a choice. We often think we know the right way, but the Bible tells us that many paths lead to a dead end. This blog post explores the gift of freewill and what it truly means to be part of the "family of God." Learn how choosing obedience over convenience is the only way to unlock a life of blessing and reconciliation.

C. Atkinson

8/28/20232 min read

a one way sign on a pole on a city street

“Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” — Matthew 12:50 (NLT)

Every single day, we are faced with a series of choices. Like a traveler standing at a crossroads, we often find ourselves looking at two diverging paths: the right way and the wrong way. The question we must answer is: What choice will you make today?

The Word of God warns us that appearances can be deceiving: “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death” (Proverbs 14:12). From the very beginning in the Garden of Eden, God gave mankind the gift of freewill. He placed Adam in a perfect environment but provided a clear warning about the tree of knowledge (Genesis 2:15-17). We were created to worship God and to enjoy a relationship of love with Him—but that relationship depends on us choosing the right path.

The Manufacturer’s Purpose

We must remember that purpose is determined by the "Manufacturer" (God), not the "product" (us). Isaiah 43:21 declares that God formed us for Himself so that we might honor Him. Though sin created a divide, we have been bought with a high price through Christ Jesus, receiving the gift of reconciliation.

Theologian Philip Ryken describes reconciliation as the message of salvation that brings us back to God. In this divine process, God is the Author, Christ is the Agent, and we are the Ambassadors. It is a restoration of the right relationship God intended for us from the very start.

The Marks of True Family

In Matthew 12, Jesus asks, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" He wasn't disregarding His earthly family, but He was highlighting a spiritual reality. Jesus chose to be about His Father’s business, and He invites His disciples to do the same. To be part of the true family of Jesus, we must make intentional choices.

The true family of Jesus:

Chooses to obey the Word of God above all else.
Chooses to serve Him regardless of the cost.
Chooses to turn away from sin and submit to the Holy Spirit.
Chooses to say "Yes" to God, even when it is painful.
Chooses spiritual growth (like Bible study) over social convenience.
Chooses a made-up mind that puts Jesus before even our closest loved ones.
Chooses to declare: "For Christ I live, and for Christ I die."

The Key to Your Life

The choices we make today determine our ultimate destination. Let’s make Heaven our goal! In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, God lays the options clearly before us:

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses... Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him.”

This commitment is the key to your life. When you choose to love and obey the Lord, you aren't just making a temporary decision—you are securing your future.