A Matter of Choice
Reading - Luke 6:12-16
The whole issue of prayer is central to this passage and the special nature of solitary prayer. Luke has already described in previous chapters how the Lord would find a quiet place to pray, away from the distractions of daily life. The subject of this night of prayer was about who would be His Apostles. Although He had many followers the time had arrived for a few to be chosen from the many disciples who would carry the Gospel to a waiting world. The matter was important and the Lord sought counsel from His Father and this would take time.
There is a lesson here to learn! There are times in our lives when we just need to get alone with God, with no agenda other than a willingness to hear from Him; and that takes time! If we could only grasp the reality of the privilege and the power associated with this practise what a difference it would make, to our personal lives and the life of our fellowship. As it is we tend to languish in the doldrums of uncertainty and indecision and never test the potential of this remarkable example. Hence the all too common "Gethsemane" experience of sleepiness and slumber! And when the day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as Apostles. (Luke 6:13)
It was John who recorded in his Gospel the purpose of their choice "You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give you. This I command you, that you love one another." (John 15:16-17) However it was Paul the Apostle who developed this thought in his letter to the Colossians And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:12-17) The inference now becomes clear that we too must make a choice and that is to live in such a way that honours God and His choice of us.
- Johnston Conville
