JRM Sison Chapter - Teachings - When I Met You (The Final Decision)

          Love… who can ever deny it. Love moves mountains. It makes the impossible possible; “Susungkitin ko para sa iyo ang buwan at mga bituin”. It even makes the unimaginable possible; “Ikaw lamang wala ng iba.” One can think the unthinkable; “Gagawin ko ang lahat maging akin lang ang pag-ibig mo.” Sounds corny but true. One can only experience it when one meets someone that can capture one’s heart.

          There was one Tagalog film that I was forced to watch because it was shown in the bus I was on. The title of the film was “When I Met You”. I don’t want to watch those kinds of films because their acting was a little bit unrealistic. Anyway, I couldn’t sleep because the volume was too loud so I watched it. Then, the Lord showed me a particular situation in the film that can be paralleled to a Christian’s way of life. The plot of the film was the main actor and actress have their own love-life. Their lives became confusing because they fell in love with each other. The actor can’t break-up easily with his girlfriend because his dad owed her money and their house was pawned to her. The actress can’t break-up easily with her boyfriend because they had plans already and her parents will be secured financially once they get married. They loved each other very much but their decisions were not as strong as their love.

          Rev. Charles Spurgeon once wrote, “Decision is the virtue of the hour.” Virtue is fundamental to righteousness. What Rev. Spurgeon was trying to imply is, “It is imperative that a decision be made upon choice with righteousness and unrighteousness.” The actor and the actress should have decided immediately to avoid further heartaches and confusion. Though the film had a happy ending (so I was told; I never finished the film anyway), it should have been a very short film if they decided immediately. They wouldn’t have prolonged the agony of separation, the pain of deceit and the threat of malice.

TO BE OR NOT TO BE

          There is a certain story in the Scriptures that required immediate response or decision. We find in the book of Daniel chapter 1 that there were 4 lads, namely Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, which were among the captured slaves from Judah by the Babylonians. The young lads including the 4 were taken to be fed and trained for the service of the king of Babylon. They were to be fed by the same meal and wine the king had. Daniel, not wanting to defile himself, has to make a decision; eat with pleasure or eat with God. Thus, upon deciding with his 3 friends, they were fed vegetables to eat and water to drink. Note that his decision was made with faith. From his decision, the prince of the eunuch (the one who cared for the lads) saw their countenance better than the others and they had grown wiser. Thus, he continued to give the 4 their rations of vegetables and water.

          Another life-threatening decision can be seen in chapter 3 of the book of Daniel. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego (the Babylonian names of Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, respectively) were charged with mutiny; they didn’t bow to the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had made. The king commanded the three again to bow down and worship the idol that he made else they face the fiery furnace. The three had to have a decision, at once, or it mean barbeque for them. They decided to trust in the Lord. They decided that their God will save them and even if their God will allow them to suffer and die, they still will not worship the king’s image. This infuriated the king and he ordered to heat the furnace seven times to absolutely make sure that they will be burned to death. He ordered his choice of mighty men from his army to cast them in the midst of the furnace and the flame of the fire slew the mighty men.

          Did the three die? According to Daniel 3:24-25, King Nebuchadnezzar saw not only three men in the furnace but four. And according to the king, the fourth man is like the Son of God. What did Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego decided? They decided to follow God’s words rather than men. From their decision, the Son of God delivered them from the fiery furnace. Not only were they alive but according to verse 27, “upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.” Amazing! God even kept their clothing intact! Even the stingy smell was not present. It was like God shielded them from the fire. The fire never touched them nor did the smell ever pass them. They were 100% protected! Their decision was vital and the result was victory. Praise be the Lord!

          Another life-threatening decision was made by Daniel. In Daniel chapter 6 during the reign of Darius the king, the presidents, princes and all officials of the king made plans of killing Daniel because King Darius favored him more than them. They made a decree and even made the king sign it “that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions (v.7).” Daniel knew that the decree was signed. He had to make a decision. Will he follow the decree and stop his regular worship to God? Will he bend to the will of men or look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of his faith? Will he embrace the abundance he is reaping and forget the Lord for 30 days or continue to his life of holiness serving the Lord? V.10 and 11 stated that Daniel made a decision, a decision that is fatal, a decision that will change lives (note the word LIVES (plural) not LIFE (singular)), a decision that glorifies God rather than men. Then the king, broken-hearted and against his will, ordered that Daniel be thrown in the lion’s den. Then the king left him for the morrow.

          Did Daniel die? According to Daniel 6:21-22, the Lord had sent His angel to shut the mouth of the hungry lions. And when Daniel was taken out of the den, the king found that he was not hurt in any way.

          Daniel’s decision saved him from death. Daniel’s decision changed his life and the king’s. Daniel’s decision made the king sign a decree that glorified God above all. Daniel’s decision prospered him. Daniel’s decision must also be our decision.

THE RIGHT CHOICE

          Daniel’s decision allowed him the following:
                    ·     PRAISE - It allowed him to praise God and worship Him.
                    ·     PURIFY - It allowed him to purify himself in the presence of God; allowing God to move in his life, thus, saving him in the process.
                    ·     PERSONALIZE - It allowed him have the distinct personality of God in his life; a personality of riches, honour and life. It also gave the king a personality of his own; a personality of faith and trust.
                    ·     PROSPER - It allowed him to be prosperous. The Lord was pleased on what he had done, thus the Lord had blessed him wherever he is, whatever he does.

          Are you in a situation that requires a decision? A decision that requires immediate action? “Decision is the virtue of the hour”, my friend. Turn to Jesus; allow Him to move in your life. Don’t settle for less when you can have the best. The world may be great but our God is greater. The world may be enjoyable but our God makes us complete. Turn to Jesus, hearken unto His words and surely blessing will come and overtake you (Deut. 28:2).