Chance or Choice?

“But as many as received Him to them gave He the power to

become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”

(John 1:12)

Notice with me the words of Jesus: “to them gave He the power to become.” Many things happen when we get saved. Sins are forgiven. Our sin debt is paid. We are made “righteous” in the sight of God. We are “translated” from the kingdom of darkness, to the kingdom of God. Our name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. We become a new creature in Christ. Our destiny and destination changes. So many things happen that require more time and space than this devotion affords.

One of the things that happens at and throughout our salvation is that God gives us power to “become”. Granted, the promise as stated, is: He gives us power to become the sons of God. But, the power that the Lord gives us is not limited to the point, place and time of becoming a Christian. At salvation, we are given a power that enables us to be what we could never be in our own strength and to do what we could never do in our own ability. The reason for that is when we become a Christian Jesus - the Son of God… creator of this world, comes into our life and resides. It is there, - from inside of us that Jesus empowers us to be and do all He wills for our life.

Our cities, towns and communities are filled with people that don’t like the life they are living. They feel trapped by the consequences of bad choices. Trapped in a life of addiction. Ensnared in destructive relationships. Living in a cycle of defeat. Trapped and traumatized by troubles. Wanting something better, yet, not knowing what do to bring about change. The message we preach offers not only salvation, but an inherent and abiding power to change. Some people believe that life is but a product of chance…some are lucky and some aren’t. But, based on what Jesus said in John 1:12, life is not a product of “Chance”…..it is a product of “Choice”. When we choose Christ, it positions us to live life with intentionality…. with a purpose, a plan and power.

Regardless of gender or generation, can you imagine what a person experiences when they come into a church service where there is passionate worship, unconditional love and acceptance, and the preaching of the Word that declares God’s great grace, measureless mercy and limitless love. We live in a chaotic and confused world, but the Church of Jesus Christ offers what hurting humanity needs: Peace with God and the power to change. In a broken world---that my friend is Good News.