Counsel of Spiritual Life
Counsel #15 — Will and Choice
Picture: Counsel #15 — Will and Choice CSL 32.1
Do you really hope to get closer to Jesus, to truly give everything over to Him? But then, you look at your own track record, all those times you promised yourself — and maybe even God — you'd do better, only to stumble again. It can leave you feeling like, "How could God ever really accept me?" CSL 32.2
Don't let that get you down! The secret is asking God to step in and take charge of your will, to empower your ability to make good choices. When you do that, little by little, your whole being starts to come under the loving guidance of Jesus' Spirit. This isn't a one-time thing, though. It's a daily choice. Every single morning, you get to hand over your desires and decisions to Jesus, letting His Spirit shape them. CSL 32.3
We can't magically change our hearts or force ourselves to love God. But what we can do is choose to serve Him. We can offer Him our minds, our thoughts, our attention. Then we'll find ourselves loving God more, and even our thoughts will begin to align with His.10 CSL 32.4
“It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 NKJV CSL 32.5
“We cannot by ourselves give our love to God. But we can choose to serve Him. We can give Him the powers of our mind. Then He will help us choose the right way.” Ellen White in Steps to Jesus, p. 44 CSL 32.6
Reflect: What does it mean to "hand over your desires and decisions to Jesus" each morning? CSL 32.7