By Mark Maher
At the end of the day we must make many decisions on how we’re going to live our life. We are faced with many challenges. I run most Godly decisions through a few filters.
Filter #1: Is God in it? Do I see God in this situation? Is He present? Is He talked about? If I was in a court of law, would I be condemned guilty because of the over abundance of evidence that Christ is ever present? If so, greenlight.
Filter #2: Is love in it? Do I feel love? Is the love strong and overflowing. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” (1 John 4:11-12)
Filter #3: Is there fruit? “The Bible describes the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23) How prevalent is the fruit. We follow the doing, not the words. Some additional fruits are contentment, consistency, faith, and hope. Do you see them in action?
Filter #4: Are values prevalent? “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14) Do we see life through the same lens? Do we have the same values? Is faith at the forefront?
Filter #5: Is there growth? Sanctification and Transformation: A willingness to keep growing and gaining new perspectives. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
Filter #6: Is there gratefulness? Showing appreciation, having spirit of gratitude rather than complaining. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) To be grateful is to recognize what you have, instead of focusing on what you don’t.
Filter #7: Is there encouragement? Is life spoken? “Reckless words pierce like a sword” (Proverbs 12:28) but “how good is a timely word!” ((Proverbs 15:23) Are you encouraging to be around? Are you a safe place to be alongside?
Filter #8: Is forgiveness prevalent? How about not being judgmental? Colossians 3:13 says, “Even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Are you quick to criticize or do you leave lots of margins for forgiveness? My faith is a work in progress, and I like to be around someone who calibrates my faith. Someone with wise council. Someone grounded with Christ.
Filter #9: Is there trust? “Blessed is the man who TRUSTS in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8). Does grace surround you in all situations? Are you consistent? We are to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
You may have a plan, but God has a purpose. God’s purpose moves forward until we take our last breath.
