Choosing God
What does it mean to “Choose God?”
If you haven’t read, Why I’m Not Religious, I’d encourage you to read that first. Choosing God is as simple as deciding to surrender and align ourselves under our Creator. However, there is a little more to it, from a biblical perspective.
While the vast majority of people on the planet acknowledge there is a god – I would think one would want to be choosing THE God – note the capital letter – and therein lies the trick, doesn’t it? How do you know whether the god you are choosing is THE God, or just an acknowledgement of “a god,” or some time of supreme being?
Clearly, on this site, I am advocating for the God of the Bible, and knowing Him through faith in Jesus Christ, His Son. How can one determine this is The Way?
Jesus stated, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father – but by me.” (John 14:6) He didn’t claim to be a way, or a truth, or one of many ways to life. It was a pretty exclusive claim. Which is why we can’t get away with the lazy claim, “Jesus was a good man and a good teacher.” (As I mention in Is Your Soul Worth $6)
Jesus claimed to be the ONLY WAY to God.
So how does one CHOOSE GOD through Jesus?
While there are many versions of the “Sinner’s Prayer,” and I’ve led people through a similar prayer, there is no sinner’s prayer in the entire Bible! There is nothing wrong with leading people in a prayer – I will offer one below – but the reality is, there are no words that can save you. It is a decision of the heart and/or decision of the mind.
The Bible states it pretty succinctly. “It is by faith you are saved.” Which begs the question, faith in what? Faith in the work of Jesus on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins.
I believe we often confuse people by over-complicating the Gospel – which is the Greek word for “Good News.” It’s good news because the bad news is our sin causes us to need a Savior, and Jesus is that Savior.
Let me introduce you to a simple explanation of the Gospel, classically described as The Romans Road because it uses verses from the Bible Book of Romans.
THE NEED: Romans 3:23 explains the bad news that we all have sinned (done bad things) and as a result “fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).
THE GIFT: Romans 6:23 explains that “the wages (consequences) of sin is death” but that God has offered a gift of forgiveness and eternal life through His Son, Jesus.
THE COST: However, the gift is not free. The cost of the sin has to paid for God to be a just God, “but while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
THE CHOICE: Like any gift, once offered, it must be freely received, and that is the choice we all have. Romans 10:9 states simply, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” It’s both a mental acceptance and commitment to follow, “Jesus is Lord,” is an acknowledgement of His right to rule in our lives.
THE PROMISE: Then, we have the simple promise in Romans 10:13 that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” No good works, no church attendance, no money in the offering plate – just a simple calling on God for salvation. THAT is why it is called Good News!
THE PEACE: Those who have taken God up on this Good News have experience this next step – and experienced the Peace that results. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:7 describes it as “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
THE RESULT: Romans 8:1 then assures us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This simply means, our sins are forgiven – past, present and future. It is a one-time transaction. It doesn’t have to be done over and over. I won’t take the space here and now to explain that, but Scripture is clear on this.
THE SECURITY: The Apostle Paul is so abundantly excited about the eternal security of the believer that he creates a run-on sentence to describe it in Romans 8:38-39 writing, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” And people wonder why Christians get so excited about their faith and are so eager to share it?
CHOOSE GOD TODAY
If you are ready to choose God today – I don’t need to give you the words. We write prayers for people to try and help them articulate what “should” be taking place in the mind and heart. When I explain the Gospel to children I like to say, it is as easy as the A-B-C’s.
A – Admit you need a Savior. You have sinned and need forgiveness. If someone can’t admit they need God, they can’t be saved. The first step is Admitting they need God.
B – Believe that Jesus came and died for you and rose again to prove He could (and will) raise you too! But believe along is not enough. In James 2:19 it says, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” Lots of people believe in God. One more step is required for salvation.
C – Commit your life to God. Becoming a follower of Jesus is more than mental consent; it is a decision to follow Him and live for Him. You won’t be perfect. You will still make mistakes. But you will now be a child of God and all the promises of God will now be available to you!
John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” And once you are His Child – things will begin to change in amazing and incredible ways that I can not even describe – you will just have to experience it for yourself!
If you are ready, use your own words to express those A-B-C’s to God in your own words, of if it is helpful, you can use this simple prayer. But know – it’s not these words – it is the decision in your heart and mind that causes the transaction to take place.
Dear Jesus,
I Admit that I am a sinner, and have fallen short of your standard – I have my reasons and excuses for where I am today – but I own my responsibility for what I can control. I Believe as much as I am able that Jesus came, died and rose again for me. Help me to grow in that belief as I live for you. I choose today to commit my life to you. Help me to life for you to the best of my ability, but you know I will need your help. On my own, I will not be able to do it. But I asking you to help me to start anew Today.
In Jesus Name, AMEN
NOTE: If you prayed to Choose God on this page, I would love to hear about it, please do Contact Me and let me know!