Question: Is it fair to say many of our current problems are a result of our own bad choices?

Answer: It is fair to say that because it’s true.  God has given us “free will,” so we are free to make our own choices.  Accepting Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, as our Savior — who took the punishment for our sins by dying on the cross in our place — is a  decision we make through faith by choice.  Obviously, we all know many who choose not to believe in Jesus as their Savior.  Believers know that these non-believers are making the wrong choice.  Still, it is their choice to choose everlasting life in heaven with God, or an eternity with Satan, apart from God.  Those are the only two choices presented in God’s Word.  “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”  John 3:36 (NKJV)

Consequently,  many choose to believe the Bible is not the Word of God, so they don’t make their life choices based on God’s Word.  Others say they are Believers, yet they also choose not to live their lives according to God’s Word.  As a result, they make many bad decisions which tend to leave them with the resulting negative consequences.  For example, take the case of the young man who chooses to party hard, get drunk, have sex outside of marriage, and to live just to please himself.  His choices , which go against the teachings of God’s Word, could easily result in one of his sex partners getting pregnant.  This irresponsible young man, who may even refer to himself as a Christian because his parents are Christian, could end up running away from taking care of his child and abandoning this new family he doesn’t even want.  His bad choices would then negatively affect the lives of these two other people in addition to himself.

Another case could involve a middle-aged woman who grew up being abused by her own mother.  This woman blames God for her horrible childhood and decides to become an atheist.  She raises her children to be atheists as well.  These sinful decisions now pass on to multiple generations.  All these people are living against the Word of God.  They could even potentially move into career areas such as becoming professors, doctors, politicians, judges, etc.  In these jobs,  they could use their influence to convince others to choose to live against God.

However, believers know not to fret over the bad choices we have all made in our lives over the years.  Instead, believers know that God has provided the right choice for all to make, if they choose to make it.   Accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior is making the first and most important right choice.  Next, we need to make the decision to ask forgiveness of our sins.  Then, we need to make all future life choices that please God according to the teachings in His Holy Word, the Bible.  Pastor Kirk Devine of Trinity Missionary Full Gospel Church in Missouri makes some good points on this subject.  Check out what he has to say at http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-choices-we-make-kirk-devine-sermon-on-character-129100.asp.

Instead of blaming everybody else and every other group of people but yourselves for the situations you find yourselves in , take responsibility for your own bad choices.  Instead of choosing to  go along with the sinful ways of the world because they are presented as popular with many , make the decision to do what’s right.  Pray and ask God to help you, through His Holy Spirit, to start making choices that please Him.   Like Joshua says in Joshua 24:16, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (NKJV)  Remember that we will have many choices to make in our lifetime.  But compared with eternity, our lifespans are short.  In that time, God wants us to make the right choices!

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family    http://www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries   http://www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network   http://www.cbn.com

World Magazine        www.worldmag.com