To each His Own

Acts 1:25 "...this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”

We all have many choices in life. A choice is defined as determining the merits of multiple options and selecting one of them. One of my favorite country songs that expresses the regret of Bad choices despite warnings form others is "Choices" by George Jones.

I've had choices
Since the day that I was born
There were voices
That told me right from wrong
If I had listened
No I wouldn't be here today
Living and dying
With the choices I made

I was tempted
By an early age I found
I liked drinkin'
Oh, and I never turned it down
There were loved ones
But I turned them all away
Now I'm living and dying
With the choices I made

I guess I'm payin'
For the things that I have done
If I could go back
Oh, Lord knows I'd run
But I'm still losin'
This game of life I play
Living and dying
With the choices I made

Old George brings up some bad choices, regrets and consequences of his life. I know I have made some that I would like to have back as well. One thing that comes to light when you look at the offer of Christ, is that you get what you want. If you want life, you choose Christ and get it. If you don't, then you reject it and get death. Look at the sad words describing Judas in Acts one above "which Judas turned aside to go to His own place". Judas did not want to follow and instead he wanted to do things his way. The disturbing reality is that he got exactly that, his own place, the place he deserved which is eternal torment. Jesus allowed Judas to choose what he wanted and then gave it to him.

I think that this needs to be carefully applied to our lives. Whose way are you following, yours or Jesus'? That is one huge question when we consider that following our own way places us squarely in the camp with Judas. No matter what religious activities we engage in, each of us must truly assess if we are living for Him or for ourselves. If we live for our selves, we will die apart form Him. If we live sold out for Christ we will live with Him. Where are you in this picture?