Have You Settled the Question?

Settle the question. Make sure you are moving the right direction.

What’s the question, you ask.

It is the most basic question that determines the trajectory of your life and your eternal destiny. That question may be worded in many different ways but it boils down to this: It is the decision to follow Jesus.

Since you are reading this, you may quickly respond that you have in fact done that. But do you know for sure?

I have had many conversations with people over the years. Here are typical closing responses.

“I will see you Sunday.” And then I do see them on Sunday because they are faithful and have thoroughly settled the question. I know that if they are not there, something has happened far beyond their control.

“I plan on being there on Sunday” or “I hope to be there Sunday” or “If nothing comes up, I will be there Sunday.” And most of the time, I don’t see them on Sunday because they haven’t thoroughly settled the question.

While Sunday attendance is not the only indicator of someone who has truly settled the question, it is an important one.

When we settle the question, we make a solid decision that we will follow no matter what happens. It means we will do whatever is necessary to follow and find every success that God wants us to in this great journey with Jesus. Settling the question means there is no longer any debate as to whether we will do the things that characterize a follower of Jesus.

Failure

A half-hearted effort will not survive. A half-hearted effort will lead to frustration, broken promises and failure.

Jesus talked about counting the cost in relationships to following him. Sometimes, we desperately want his forgiveness and release from guilt, sin and failure but we are unwilling to make the changes needed to continue down the right path. We want forgiveness without repentance.

Repentance is the thorough and complete change of mind that accompanies the sincere desire for forgiveness. I have witnessed too many people who yearn for forgiveness without repentance. By refusing to repent they settle the question in a negative way – they say, that they will retain control of their lives and that they are willing to allow God to pardon their sins but not rule their lives.

That is not the path to spiritual life.

Victory and Power

When we say yes, without reservation, we release God’s power to work in our lives and even in our circumstances to help us grow strong. Jesus came to give us abundant, eternal life! It’s his gift that is waiting to be opened in repentance.

Thorough repentance means we are changing everything! We no longer want control of our lives. And do we need to be reminded that the illusion of control is just a lie we tell ourselves to feed our ego?

When we repent, when we settle the question, we yield control to the only one who truly knows us, our circumstances and the right path for us to walk.

Settle the Question – Now!

It may feel like there could be a better time to settle the question but now is the best time.

Is Jesus lord of your life? Do you follow him wherever he leads? Do you allow other activities to stifle your spiritual life? Is it easy for you to put of spiritual activities? Is there someone or something else more important?

You will never truly find spiritual peace until you settle the question. When you finally completely commit to Jesus’ leadership in your life everything changes.

My desire is that everyone who reads this will live in victory. There is a profound sense of contentment that you experience when you settle the question. I encourage you to say yes today!