Decision Time

President Zelensky was facing a horrendous dilemma..  The powerful President Trump had presented Ukraine with an ultimatum.  Accept my proposal for a peace deal with Russia or face life without the support of the United States.  Yet his proposal certainly supports the aggressor, Russia, in that even more land would be ceded to Russian that they have captured so far, demands a reduction of the size of the army and refuses them the right to join NATO.  There is no commitment from Russia never to invade again.  The people of Ukraine he leads overwhelmingly reject this proposal yet they do long for peace, they feel it is not right that the aggressor is rewarded.  They feel they are being bullied. The President of the USA is so powerful and he would love to be known as a peacemaker..  To reject his proposal would result in losing American logistical and military support.  What should control his decision?

Many young people long to be accepted by their friends.  This pressure can compel people to behave in ways they know to be wrong in order to be accepted.  What should control their decision?

The pressure of wanting what others have can lead people to do what is wrong.  National advertising is very powerful and can lead people to crave what that they cannot afford.  This can lead to getting into debt or even to stealing.  What should control their decision?

Such pressures on people can be immense.  

‍ ‍

Decision time for Jesus

Jesus was under immense pressure from the Jewish authorities to deny that he was God’s Messiah.  His refusal to do so led to his death by crucifixion, one of the cruelest ways to die.  What principal led him take this stance?

Decision time for the Apostles

The apostles, Peter and John had then been arrested by the Jewish authorities because they had been promoting Jesus, saying that he had risen from the dead after being executed and that he is God’s chosen eternal king, the Messiah.  They were forbidden to speak any more in the name of Jesus.  They refused:

“We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

That is what they boldly.continued to do in spite of all the apostles being arrested.  The authorities were asked:

“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!  As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-20

What helped them decide?  They dared to disobey the highest court in the land because they were under a yet higher authority.  God and the truth about Jesus really does matter.  They had been commissioned to share this news and the evidence that it was true.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mathew 28:18-21

The Answer is found in an over-riding fear of the Lord

How we crave for wisdom when facing seemingly impossible decisions.  The Bible is clear about how to find this peace and wisdom:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

Decisions are only correct when the data they are based on is reliable.  Most young people choose a career depending on people they have met or read about and much less on how their attributes fit in with the choice.  Choosing friends or spouses can rely on pressures exerted on us.  It is significant that girls who have learned how to flirt find it easier to find a boyfriend.

Yet when people have a foundation of thinking that pleasing God matters more than anything else, they will find that subsequent thinking about how to act becomes clearer.  Clear dispassionate thinking enables there right use of our passions but woe betide people who allow their passions to rule, rational thinking then becomes sidelined.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who. . .  made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” Philippians 2:5-9

Godly wisdom will think what Jesus would do in this situation.

The time is coming when Christians will need to be so steeped in God’s word that we will stand boldly for Christ when the pressures come.

BVP