8. God has invited me to enter and participate in His Kingdom, but I must choose to; God will not force me.

(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.) 

If in fact, God deeply desires that we live with Him in his Kingdom, why would He not use His power and make sure that we choose to join Him?

The process of two people falling in love often includes flirting. Do you think there is any sense in which God “flirts” with us?

What does it say about God’s character when He lets us choose our own destiny?

If all that is required for us to enter the Kingdom is for us to simply choose it, does this seem too easy?

God’s Kingdom life involves living interactively with God, becoming like Christ, and receiving an abundance of spiritual fruit from the Spirit: love, joy, peace, contentment, etc. Why would anyone not choose this?

Talk to Jesus about what you sense He would want you to choose. Notice what specific desires He gives you.

Wanting—our desires—play an important role in our lives, more than we often give attention to. We live in a time and place where we likely have more opportunities and choices available to us than ever before. We are accustomed to having multiple options of where to eat, what to wear, where to live, what occupation to pursue, and much more. But

having choices does not mean that we will always choose well or wisely. Much of what Jesus taught had to do with choosing well in a culture that had many opportunities to choose poorly. The rich young ruler chose his wealth over life with Jesus in His Kingdom. The Samaritan chose to care for his Jewish neighbor when others chose their own comfort and security. The disciples chose to follow Jesus and give up their jobs, families, homes, etc. Most of the religious community chose not to follow Jesus.

Similar choices exist for us today. The setting may be different, but we still face many things that compete for our attention and desires. If we are to live with God in His Kingdom there are several truths we must remind ourselves often about.

1. Not all choices lead to life with God.

2. Lots of small choices add up to big choices or desires.

3. Nearly every choice has a hidden motive that does matter.

4. God will not choose for us. He so respects us that He will not force us to choose.

5. If we desire and choose to live with God in His Kingdom, it will affect all other choices we make.

Choosing is what makes us human; it represents our will, heart, and essence. As much as God desires that we join Him in His Kingdom, He will not make the choice for us. The choices we make are so important then; there are no unimportant choices.

Even choosing not to choose is a choice.