People today need to be very, very sure what they believe.
We are now hearing disturbing reports of new educational plans to teach our children in the public schools that gender is a choice. Modern views of heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender identity will be introduced.
Years ago we saw the development of techniques aimed at shaping children’s minds into strange patterns. Apparently, the plan of some was to develop the testing of youngsters to the place where their responses can be more systematically studied by the computer. Those who have adopted the prescribed outlook will be passed on to advanced treatment. Those who have not will be recycled through the character-molding material.
Many of these educators, or social scientists, are pressing hard to force their training back into the preschool life of the child – right into the home. Some of their statements concerning parenthood and the home as an institution are repugnant to any Christian. The question rises strongly before us: Who decides what is the right mold into which our children’s minds and characters are to be regimented? (To put it in a loaded manner!)
Thus, either you decide what you will believe and be and teach your family or it will be decided for you by the self-appointed specialists and their computers.
All this is arising like a dreaded dawn on an already troubled and dark world. Surely, today an intelligent and committed faith in Jesus Christ is the only way. The Christian can live a successful life for Jesus Christ, even in this modern age.
Three basic propositions for life must be remembered, and if they are, a meaning-filled life is within reach! I find these three great life-principles in the graphic summary of Moses’ life given in our text, Hebrews 11:23-27.
- YOU ARE WHAT YOU CHOOSE
Moses chose the God of his parents as his own God. So it was when he was grown, he “refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,” 24. The princess had adopted him as her very own child, rescuing him as an infant from his watery hiding place. However, Moses considered himself as a Hebrew, not a part of pagan Egypt. How far-reaching this choice!
This contrasts with so many who claim Christianity and yet wish to be well-accepted by their “Egyptian” friends! Their choices in dress, music, entertainment are not made according to standards of godliness. Rather, they make daily decisions that will give them an “in” with their friends. For some this craving to be accepted is so strong they choose things that are seriously against even their own consciences. Surveys have established that numbers of young people enter a life of drugs simply out of fear of being rejected by their crowd.
Whose “child” are you – God’s or Egypt’s? You are what you choose. That is a life proposition.
Parents ought to train their children how to deny themselves. How to accept disappointments gracefully. Even keen disappointments can be taken by children without harm – rather, with much profit – if there is enough love and appreciation being shown them. It takes grit and self-denial to continually choose what is right.
Choices determine character. Choose according to what you want to be. So many have become what they never intended to be! They chose wrong, so they become wrong.
I once talked with a teenage fellow about his meanness to his widowed mother. With head down, he pled, “Pastor, believe me! I don’t want to be this way.” Then he explained that this inner rage was so much a part of him that he was powerless now to overcome it.
You see, from his childhood he had been making selfish and hurtful choices. Now he had become the kind of character that could not help but hurt others. You simply cannot choose one way and be another. You are what you choose. Is God please or displeased with your daily decisions?
II. YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU VALUE
Here is the next life proposition, worthy of deep thought. Read verses 25 and 26, noting that Moses’ choice was based on his evaluations. Moses then preferred to endure trials with the godly than to bask in the fun of sin for a short season.
Yes, the reason he made such a choice is clearly stated. He actually valued the life with Christ, though it meant real suffering and self-denial, of greater value than all the palace treasures of Egypt! Now, let’s come to the point. In comparison to your view of pleasures and things of this life, do you choose first and foremost Jesus Christ? How much do you love His Word? The Church? Private Prayer?
Judas set his price on Jesus because he cared much for money. Your volition shows your values. “To you who believe God (Jesus) is precious,” I Peter 2:7.
A dying man never asks for one more fling. He does not gasp, “Bring me my money!” or, “How goes the stock market?” Nor, “Tell me quick what’s on TV?” Is it not a good life rule to live toward that which you will want right with you when you come to die? Eternity is a long time.
Jesus said, “I do always those things that please him (the Father),” John 8:29. More than all else our Lord valued His Father’s will. That accounted for His choices. (Study Matthew 4:8-11. You choose what you value.
III. YOU VALUE WHAT YOU SET YOUR MIND ON
Our text, Hebrews 11:27, next pictures Moses moving out of Egypt, the king’s wrath notwithstanding. He feared not the wicked Pharaoh, just as his parents had not. See verse 23. The anxieties of parents and what they value will be “caught” by their children – no matter what is said.
Parents, are you daily teaching your children the wholesome fear of God? Are you bringing the great lessons of Scripture into their daily thought? Yea, into your own life? Many a mother and father, exasperated by the behavior of their children, will one day have to admit that deep down they themselves were not different. Life principles are not just taught, they are “caught” by example from the very atmosphere and outlook of lives.
See where Moses’ eyes looked! Verse 26 says he endured everything because he was looking directly at God’s great reward. The next verse adds he was looking away to “him who is invisible.”
That is the secret – to set the heart on things above where Christ is! Colossians 3: 1-2. As Jesus taught, the heart will always tend toward one’s treasures. Where are yours?
Reading the Scripture one is gripped by God’s response to Moses as He made these daily decisions. The heart of our Lord will be upon you who choose His ways – daily. Study Hebrews 12: 1-2. Then look over your daily schedule. How do you spend your time? What do you think about – seek – look toward? Make Jesus Christ Lord.
For you who are parents, I urge you to join in a simple schedule of daily family Bible readings. What blessing that will bring.