Choosing the Higher
Wade E Taylor

“For it is under His direction that the whole body is perfectly adjusted by each joint that furnishes its supplies. And by the proper functioning of each particular part, there is brought about the growing of the body for its building up in love.”  Ephesians 4:16 Williams

Our spiritual life is far more than the amount of spiritual information that we gather (our intellectually understanding the letter of the Word and doctrines).  Rather, the “measure” of the level of spiritual maturity to which we have attained, is the accumulation of all the decisions that we make during our span of life.

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”  Eph 4:13

Life is never easy; it is a struggle in which we must continually choose what we will do, or which way we will go.  Because of the many desires we have, along with the responsibilities that have been placed upon us, at times it may be difficult for us to make the right choice.  But, as we choose rightly, we will become the overcomer whom the Lord desires to lift into being seated with Him in His throne.

“And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon Him to hear the word of God, He stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And He entered into one of the ships.”  Luke 5:1-3a

There are always two “ships” – His way and our way.  We must make the choice as to which one we will enter.  Hopefully, we will choose the “ship” (our life circumstances) that Jesus entered, which relates to His will being done.

We are all fishermen, we “fish” for that which will bring satisfaction into our life experience.  These fishermen were washing their nets.  The “net” is the method that we use to get what we want.  We either succumb to satisfying our flesh desires, or we choose to rise above these, to feed our spirit.

The accumulation of the choices that we make is all that we will take with us (that which we have become spiritually), when we depart from this life.  If our decisions for the Lord outweigh our negative choices, then this becomes the level of spiritual growth to which we have attained, and will establish our position in heaven for all eternity.  If we have risen above the earthly in a large measure, we will stand before the Lord to be rewarded as an overcomer.

Our being an overcomer means that there is a separation between that which pertains to our self-satisfaction and fulfillment, and that which is according to the will and purpose of our Lord for us.

As we go through life, the more decisions that we make, toward that which is spiritually edifying, the easier it will become to continue making these decisions, and, we become more detached from all those things that could pull us down.  In the beginning, it may be difficult, but it becomes easier as we continue to choose rightly.

Life is somewhat like a large circular spiral.  As we move around the circle and continue to choose that which is spiritually edifying, when we return to our starting place, we will be a distance higher than we had been when we first started.  If we choose toward self-gratification, we will arrive a distance lower than we had been, when we first started.

Our lives are, in many ways, comparable to walking in circles, but at the end of each circle we will be either closer to, or, further away from the Lord.  Life may seem repetitive (as it mostly is), but the accumulation of these seemingly mundane daily choices that we make, will greatly affect our eternal position before the Lord.  The capacity for us to function in heaven, for eternity, is being developed within us during our time here on earth.

Thus, we are doing far more than simply going in circles.  If we are making positive decisions toward the Lord, our desire to personally know Jesus will substantially increase and our spirit will be more sensitive to His presence.  But, if we give in to carnal desires, we will become hardened and indifferent to the Lord, and to His presence.

We may be struggling, and at times losing more battles than we are winning.  But, as we spend quality time in the presence of our Lord, asking Him for the strength to make the right decisions, we will be enabled to do so, and we will begin to move upward.

There are those who have a spiritual quality that is perceptible to others, as their lives radiate an inner peace.  This is because they have risen above all earthly pressures and temptations, and are making the right decisions.

Jesus said that the Kingdom is within us.  The first aspect of the Kingdom is righteousness.  Thus, the righteous decisions that we make will draw us upward toward His Kingdom.  When we choose the Lord and place ourselves under His Kingdom rule, we place ourselves on a platform called “righteousness.”

Then, as we continue to make righteous decisions, it will result in our experiencing His abiding presence, and having a sensitivity to all that is spiritual.  Because we are making the right decisions, the favor, or the approbation of God will rest upon us.  The pattern for our making these righteous decisions is beautifully laid out in the Sermon in the Mount, Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.

This deals with the motive behind the act.  This is the higher code of spiritual life, which is beyond our being right or wrong, but rather, with our partaking of spirit and life.  There are those who will pay the price to live on this higher plain of spirituality.

May each of us make a commitment to the Lord of all that we are and all that we do.  This will place us on Kingdom ground in full submission to His headship.  The Lord will be glorified and pleased, and His approbation will rest upon us.  Now, we will be ready in that day, to hear Jesus say to us:

“His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord.”  Matthew 25:23