The Crisis of Decision
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Going straight to the Cross
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Let's sing along now: "I can see clearly now, the
rain is gone."
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COLUMN: Hands-on Faith
The Crisis of Decision
by Barry Newton
Can the clarity of resolve become foggy in the
crisis of decision? Conflicts of interest and the
clash of values have always muddied the eyes of
those who would otherwise see clearly.
We know this to be true. Those who accept a bribe
will discover their heart twisted toward
corruption. Ecclesiastes 7:7; Proverbs 17:23
Similarly if the lure of wealth gains a foothold,
it can derail faithfulness since it is not
possible to serve two masters. 1 Timothy 6:10;
Matthew 6:24
When Abram told Sarai, "tell them you are my
sister," at the crossroads he chose self-
preservation. Genesis 12:11-13 The cost of that
shrewdness involved the weight of sin.
Ananias and Sapphira encountered an intersection
when they sold some property. When they agreed to
lie about the sale price of their property,
presumably to gain favor and recognition as
generous givers, they chose the wrong path. Acts
5:1-9 The price they paid was their lives.
King Jereboam’s decision inviting Israel to
worship at Dan and Bethel involved him crumbling
under the pressure to maintain his kingship by
human means. 1 Kings 12:26-29 He could have chosen
to trust in God and His promises. Instead his
kingship sank into sinfulness.
We need to be acutely aware of the values which
can tug at our heart strings so that we will
recognize the crisis of decision for what it is --
a challenge to our ultimate allegiance. Questions
can reveal the clash of competing allegiances.
"Should I lie in order to avoid trouble?"
"Should I hide what I know is true in order to get
along?"
"What should I do about the unethical practices I
have discovered at work?"
"Should we go to this sporting event instead of
worship?"
Such questions often boil down to trusting in God
and doing what is right or capitulating to the
pressure of pursuing self-advancement, acceptance
by peers, greed, living for pleasure or some other
value. If we are naively unaware of the crossroads
of decision, we could wake up one day to "how did
I get here?"
The more goals we entertain, the greater are the
possibilities that we will find our service to God
encountering conflict. The more important other
goals might be to us, the stronger will be the
temptation to make poor decisions.
Clarity of resolve involves starting with the
conviction of who God is and His place in our
lives. It is maintained by preventing the erection
of competing allegiances in our hearts.
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