“Choice,” a noun, an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. We all must make choices. Our choices reflect our values – those things that we hold most dear and form the most central part of our identities. A Christian’s choices, therefore, should reflect Christian values. Christian values are determined by on what Christ places value. Christians must learn to make choices that reflect the choices that Christ would make Himself if He were in our position. Paul described this lifestyle of making choices consistent with Christ the following way. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:8-11). In essence, Paul was saying, “choose light.” In other words, choose the way of the Spirit. Choose the way of Christ. We are to be “finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” Consider the survey of translations of this statement: The point is clear. Christians are to live their lives in such a way that carefully discerns what course of attitude, speech and action reflects the Spirit of Christ. At this point, many of us get confused and discouraged. Many situations arise in which the course is not always clear. Sometimes we can be guilty of making

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. …your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you…” (Matthew 6:1, 4 NKJV). Most of the acts of service done in the name of Christ go unrecognized by people. They are done behind-the-scenes by people who are not in the “limelight.” Not every time we do something to expand the borders of the Lord’s kingdom in our world will we be recognized for doing such. Jesus said if our motivation is to garner the praise and attention of men, we are sinning. However, this does not mean that it is wrong to receive praise for right-doing or give praise to others for right-doing. We all need encouragement, affirmation and validation (Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 10:24-25). If we do not get it, sometimes we can get down on ourselves and start to believe what we are doing is not important. As Christians, we are in the business of building each other up, and we should not neglect opportunities to give praise where it is due. To you who visit the lonely and the sick when no one sees, who prepare meals for those who cannot, who pray unceasingly for your brethren, who send cards, who spend hours of your time planning and organizing church functions, who wash countless dishes and clean mountains of clothes so your family can function to serve

Garth Brooks’ 1993 hit song, “Standing Outside the Fire,” begins with the following lyrics: “We call them fools, who have to dance within the flame, who chance the sorrow and the shame, that always comes with getting burned.” A line in the chorus follows, “Life is not tried, it is merely survived if you’re standing outside the fire.” The song is saying a person is not truly living if he is “standing outside the fire,” i.e. rolling up one’s sleeves, investing oneself in others, putting oneself in a vulnerable position for the sake of love, etc. In a sense, the Christian life is one that calls us into “the fire.” The Christian life is a wonderful, triumphant, fulfilling, transformative and joyous endeavor. It is the life that prepares us for the life to come. Yet, the Christian walk is not spectator sport. It calls us into “the game” as active participants. In this game, things can get messy. Personalities will clash (Philippians 4:2-4). Sometimes, feelings will be hurt (Philippians 3:17-18). It guarantees adversity and hardship along the way (2 Timothy 3:12). This game requires significant investment of our energy, resources, emotions and our being (Matthew 22:37-40). We will be disappointed and discouraged at times (Galatians 1:6). This is just the nature of Christian living. Welcome to biblical Christianity. This is not the feel-good, “no resistance and all reward” message that passes for Christianity in many circles. The Christian life is a fight. It is a war. It is a struggle.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have an apostle like Peter or Paul still alive today? In that vein, there are many questions that I have. What were they like? What would they think of American culture? What types of lives would they live? How would they preach, sing, pray, give and study? More importantly, what would they have to say to the church? What positive comments would they have? What rebukes would they give? One question on which I want to focus is what would make someone like the apostle Paul joyful? I think we would all say that if Jesus or one of His apostles were living among us today, we would want to please them and bring them joy. Consider some things that Paul said brought him deep joy. Paul rejoiced to learn of the obedience of Christians (2 Corinthians 7:15-16). Paul considered faithful churches that he had planted to be his “joy” or “crown of rejoicing” (Philippians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). Paul found no pleasure in watching others mourn over their sin, but he was joyful when God’s Word pricked one’s heart enough for him or her to repent, realizing that it leads to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:8-10). This repentance produced “diligence,” “vindication,” “indignation” (toward sin), “fear” (cause for alarm), “longing,” “zeal” and “avenging of wrong.” It “proved [them] innocent” and caused Paul to rejoice (2 Corinthians 7:11). Paul rejoiced to learn his fellow workers were refreshed and encouraged by the godly

There’s something about human nature that wants to dwell on negativity. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the news and magazines. The latest divorces, scandals and controversies dominate the scene. Inconsistent with biblical love, some even find pleasure in hearing the wrongdoings of others (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:6). There are some that seem to be consumed with everything that is wrong with the world to the point it makes them bitter and incapable of feeling joy. As Christians, we must be aware of the realities of the world (as negative as they may be), but we should not be consumed in our thinking by them. Remember the words of Paul: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:8 Mounce). As Christians, we should look for the virtuous things in life as a dwelling place for our thoughts. Let us all meditate upon this verse and actively seek to dwell on the good in our thought life. Let us focus on what’s right in the world instead of always what is wrong. Let us focus on the good that may come out of situations that are not so good. Let us focus on what we have instead of what we don’t have. Failing to let our minds dwell on the good is dangerous to our