Making the Right Choices

Biblical decision-making has a number of touch points in order to keep us making the right choices. I'll be highlighting them during the next few weeks. For example, in making a decision large or small, the first question you should ask yourself is, "Does this action or choice glorify God?" "Would He be pleased with this decision or action"?

Speaking of which, what does it mean to glorify God? Well, we'll start with this because it is, after all, our chief good. Ecclesiastes 12:13 states,"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." OK-- so how does this play out in our lives? How do we glorify God? Here's an easy acronym to remember: "A.C.T.S."

A- adoration. When we set out to give God all His due worship-- when we proclaim Him above all else, God is pleased. It is like a sweet fragrance to the Lord when we please Him (Psalm 141:2; Ephesians 5:2).
C- confession. As we confess our daily transgressions (and we all make them), the Scriptures tell us that He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Confession means we realize that we've done wrong are asking for forgiveness; and in doing so we receive it, as 1 John 1:9 states. But also, as we confess, it removes any hindrances between us and God, especially as we pray and seek answers from Him. Unconfessed sin can stand in the way of that.
T- thanksgiving. A grateful heart brings honor to God because we acknowledge Him as the provider of all our blessings. "Every good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17). Also, when we give thanks, we are being obedient, for the Lord tells us to give thanks in everything, for this is His will (1 Thess 5:18).
S- subjection. When we put God in His rightful place: on the throne of our lives, we glorify Him. To see Him high and lifted up, as Isaiah wrote, is also to rightly see ourselves in our needy state like the prophet, who cried out "Woe is me for I am undone! For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts." (Is 6:1-5). He is our King and we are His subjects. As such, we are dedicated to Him, standing ready for His service. What an honor! So remember A.C.T.S., Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Subjection, as a help to keep us in check in giving God His due glory in all that we say and do! Back to the question, before you make that decision, take that step or utter that next word, ask: "Does it bring glory to God?" God's Word says "humility and the fear the Lord, are riches and honor and life." (Proverbs 22:4). Next time, we'll look at another question in helping guide our decisions.