📖 You have a choice

NEWSLETTER UPDATE: I am on sabbatical through the end of June, so this will be the last Bible Made Simple newsletter for a few weeks.

Bible Made Simple will return in July. Thanks for reading along!

I. Whenever Jesus or the Scriptures tell us to do or not to do something, it means that we have a choice.

While it might be difficult, we get to decide whether or not to do it.

For example, in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), Jesus invites us to not be angry and lustful. He teaches us to honor our marriage commitment, to always tell the truth and do what we say, and to be generous with our money.

He even tells us not to live worry-filled lives. That, contrary to what our culture tells us, being an “anxious person” is something we should address, not claim as an identity and do nothing about.

This is why we are told repeatedly in the New Testament that Jesus sets us free. Like Paul writes in Galatians 5:1:

“For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

It may not happen overnight, but this is why we are told “not to be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans). And that we should “train ourselves in godliness” (1 Timothy).

We get to decide if we want to live the way of Jesus or not.

Following Jesus is a choice. And you are invited to make the right choice.

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II. Here is a great question to ask yourself when trying to figure out what God might want you to do in a given situation:

“To the best of my knowledge and ability, what would Jesus do if he were me?”

Colossians 3 tells us:

“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…”

Even if you get it “wrong,” the fact that you have considered the Lord means you have tried to honor him.

That’s what really matters.

Have you ever wondered why Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were so faithful to God during their exile in Babylon? Where did that kind of faith come from?

The answer begins with King Josiah (2 Kings 22-23).

Josiah became king around 640 BC, and unlike the wicked kings before him, he loved the Lord and led major spiritual reforms throughout Judah. He restored the temple, rediscovered God’s Law, and called the nation back to covenant faithfulness.

Although Josiah led major reforms, God’s judgment against Judah was still coming because of the nation’s long rebellion and unfaithfulness. After Josiah died in 609 BC, young men like Daniel and his friends were taken to Babylon in 605 BC.

Yet even in exile, they clearly knew God’s Word, practiced spiritual discipline, and remained faithful under pressure.

Why?

Because one generation’s faithfulness can deeply shape the next generation.

Never underestimate how your obedience to God today may impact people long after you are gone.

If you pray and God does not heal you, does that mean you don’t have enough faith?

Have a Bible question, or a situation in your life you want a biblical perspective on? Submit it here to be answered in a future Bible Made Simple Newsletter edition.

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

A novel about a man named Theo who lives for a year in the fictional southern town of Golden.

A compelling story of warmth, intrigue, compassion, and kindness. This book has received a lot of attention, which is the main reason I wanted to read it, as I prefer to read non-fiction.

Because of the acclaim and reviews I have seen online from others, I was not only interested in reading it, but I felt compelled to keep going, even when the book at times moved rather slowly.

Overall, I do think the book could have accomplished the same purpose and been a little shorter. Some of the ancillary characters that show up make it hard at times to keep track of the characters you are supposed to remember.

But because I know many have spoken positively of the book, I kept going. For much of the book, it feels like a leisurely stroll where you have no idea where it will end up.

In the end, it comes together nicely. The strength of this novel is how it makes you think, feel, and slow down. The book is in no hurry. Theo, the main character, is in no hurry, and I think that is part of the point.

Ultimately, it is hard to rate a book like this. It almost feels unfitting to do so (so I won’t), as this book is not meant so much to entertain you, but to make you think, reflect, see the beauty of others, and even to consider the love of God.

The book reads slowly at times, but I am glad that I read it. The world needs more people like Theo, and this book makes you reflect on how you might play your part in the encouragement of others.

I am glad I read this book. It ends powerfully and reminds us that in the end, faith, hope, and love endure, but the greatest of these is love.

P.S. How to make hard things easy…