The BSF study of Revelation has been incredible. Amid the mystery, the unanswered questions, the terrible wrath that awaits unbelievers and the Glory of God, one of my discussion brothers crystalized it all this morning. “We have a choice of who we serve, Him (Jesus) or me.”

As I look back on my life, I recognize my dear friend is so right. So much of what I desired & chased after…the pleasures, happiness was for myself. I even fooled myself into thinking if I acquired riches & wealth then my family would be happier. But deep down inside it was the pride to please myself. Jesus said it this way, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.” Matthew 6:24

It’s not about good or bad people. Little sins of big sins. God made it clear in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” All sin is a subset of the sin of self-centeredness. God has given us examples & a list of sins but the simple lesson we learn from Adam & Eve in Genesis 3 is they both chose what they wanted for themselves, over God. Jesus clearly explained it in Luke 10:27, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” God must always be first. Always.

We are all vulnerable. We all have our own “apples.” We can do as Adam & Eve did… argue with Satan and get tricked or we can turn to God’s Word and ask the Holy Spirit to, “Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. Remember, Lord, Your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to Your love remember me, for You, Lord, are good.” Psalm 25:4-7.

Jesus lived out His life always choosing His Father’s will for His life. He was fully man and faced the hard & difficult choices of living on earth. There was no better example than hours before He was to be arrested, tried & crucified that He prayed this in the Mount of Olives, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Luke 22:42.

Do you trust Him enough to choose His Way?