For this God is our God for ever and ever:
He will be our guide even unto death. (Psalms 48:14)

    “People don’t change their lifestyles in a vacuum.” That was the comment I received from a reviewer on a novel I had written about the emptiness of today’s dating scene. The hero begins with a “jump-in-bed-together-ten minutes-after-we-meet” mentality. However, he slowly comes to realize how pointless that lifestyle is. The reviewer went on to say, “None of the characters in the book have a faith that explains his or her behavior.” The reviewer was referring to the hero’s final understanding that the sleeping around scene is degrading and empty; he wanted more for his life. There was no overt reference to him making this decision because God says sleeping around is a sin. Nor did he have the benefit of direct intervention from some Godly person out to save his soul. All he had was past experience and a woman that he loved saying she had made a decision not to sleep with anyone until she was married.

    I understand the reviewer’s perspective because when reviewing an inspirational novel, one comes to expect overt references to God and His truths. Not only do I understand it, I respect it. I know a lot of people who make decisions based on this very factor — i.e. the whole “What Would Jesus Do” phenomenon. My question, however, is this: Are good decisions and wanting something better for your life the sole, exclusive desire of Christians, or can even those who don’t have an outward God-based commitment still make good, moral decisions simply because those decisions make sense in the light of human dignity?

    God didn’t give us His laws so that He could catch and punish those who disobey them. Far from it. God wants His children to have blessed and joy-filled lives. If each of us had to begin from scratch trying to discover what makes life work, then we’d all be in serious trouble. So, what did our loving Father do? He gave us a road map. In the Bible, our Heavenly Father lays out things to do and not to do so that our lives will be easier. God’s principles are not about restriction, but about blessing!

Your word, O Lord, is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)

    I’ve heard for years about the “straight and narrow path.” It always sounded so ominous — especially for one such as myself with less than perfect balance Straight and narrow. It sounds like those balance beams that I would break my neck trying to walk across. So most people say, “What’s the use? I couldn’t stay on it anyway.” They figure they can find their own way. So they try.

God wants His children to have blessed and joy-filled lives.

    Ah, but there’s the rub! They TRY! Maybe you’ve never stepped off of that path, but I can tell you from my own experience what’s on either side of it — heartache, pain, fear, anger, guilt — in short brambles, cactus, and thorns. Following the path is easier and safer than going it alone in the prickly brush. After awhile, being off the path is no fun. Even worse, no matter how careful you are, sooner or later, you’re going to get hurt if you break with the path.

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. (Proverbs 14:12)

The path of the upright leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. (Proverbs 16:17)

    Staying on the straight and narrow path makes sense. It’s where you walk if you don’t want to be picking thorns and spikes out of yourself with every step you take.

    If you know someone who is resisting God’s messages (or if you’re resisting it yourself) because of all that would have to be “sacrificed” to follow Him, help them think about the thorns. Help them consider how many thorns they’ve stepped on and walked through by being off God’s path. It’s a choice God allows each of us to make — the path or the thorns. But, please don’t miss the practicality of choosing His ways over the ways of the world.

    When you really think about it, following His path makes perfect sense.

The path of the wise leads to life above; they leave the grave behind. (Proverbs 15:24)

 

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Are you tired of all the trash labeled “entertainment” these days? If so, you are invited to visit the author of this article, Staci Stallings, at http://www.stacistallings.com. An Inspirational Romance Author, Staci welcomes all visitors to read sample chapters of her work, powerful and uplifting articles, her free monthly newsletter, “On Our Journey Home,” which is featured on the site, and Faith Stories from around the globe. You will feel better for the experience! If you are interested in contacting Staci, please feel free to write her at: staci_stallings@hotmail.com

Title: "It Makes Perfect Sense"
Author: Staci Stallings
Publication Date: November 14, 2002