The Choices That Define Us—and the One That Redeems Us

Ever catch yourself replaying a moment you’d give anything to redo? 

I do it all the time. 

Things like: the sharp response you gave to your kids, the chance to talk about Jesus to a co-worker that you let slip away, the choice to walk away from faith and live a party lifestyle for a few years, or the chance to do something special that you let get away.

I think, to one degree or another, all of us have those mental reruns. But here’s the question I would like you to consider: what if our past blunders don’t get the final say over our future?

Every day, we’re creating who we’re becoming by the choices we make—big, small, impulsive, or deliberate. These choices ripple out, shaping not just us, but also our little corner of the world.  So what happens when we mess up? When we cave to temptation, chase selfish desires, or stumble into sin? Are we stuck with the fallout forever? 

The answer is a big NO! 

The story doesn’t end with our failures—because God has a part to play in our lives as well.

I think Erwin McManus nails it in Uprising: 

The future is the sum total of all the choices that are made in the present and the past. Fortunately, that sum total includes the choices made by God. (p. 237)

Think about that idea for a moment. God isn’t some cosmic spectator, arms crossed, watching us struggle. He’s in it with us, steering things in ways we might not even notice. Our wrong turns? They don’t faze Him. His choices can rewrite our trajectory when we’ve lost the way.

Romans 8:5-8 (CSB) lays it out clearly: 

For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

There is no doubt that when left to our own devices, we’re a mess. 

We can’t muscle our way into the life God has for us on sheer willpower. And that is okay!  

God doesn’t leave us in the chaos we created. He hands us His Spirit, His Word, His grace—everything we need to choose life over death.

And if you want proof of God’s wild commitment, Romans 5:6-11 (CSB) points us to the evidence: 

For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person — though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

That’s not us earning our salvation. That’s God saying, “I’m all in—whether you’ve got it together or not.” He chose to rescue us, not because we’re impressive, but because He is love in action. 

The life and death of Jesus is the evidence we need to know that God is committed to us.

True, we can’t rewind the tape on yesterday’s mistakes. But we can choose to trust the choices God has already made for us. 

When we surrender to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, something changes. We’re not just fumbling through life on our own strength anymore—we’re being shaped by a God who has the power to redeem us, no matter who we are or what we have done. Our story isn’t a highlight reel of our screw-ups. It’s an amazing collaboration between our choices and His—a God who loves, restores, and refuses to let go.

What’s one choice you’re facing today? And what might it look like to let God’s voice weigh in?

Transformed by Grace: The Foundation of Godly Leadership

Introduction

Imagine this: you’re feeling under the weather, so what do you do? A recent survey revealed a startling trend—over half of Americans turn to the internet, social media, or even AI for medical advice before consulting a doctor. Even more surprising? 73% believe they know more about their health than their physician! While curiosity and research are great, the issue boils down to trust. People are placing their faith in TikTok doctors and Reddit threads over trained professionals.

This same pattern creeps into our spiritual lives. Instead of turning to God’s Word or seeking godly counsel, many of us scroll through social media, watch YouTube theologians, or follow influencers with no accountability or questionable theology. Pastors are fact-checked in real time, and the world’s trends often overshadow God’s truth. Questions are healthy, but when we trust fleeting opinions over the eternal Word, we risk our spiritual health.

In Titus 1:1-9, we see a similar challenge in Crete 2,000 years ago. False teachings were spreading, and the new churches lacked leadership. Paul commissioned Titus to establish godly leaders—elders—to guide God’s people with truth and integrity. Today, we’ll explore two crucial elements for living as God’s people: God’s truth and godly leadership.

Context

Paul and Titus had planted churches across Crete, but Paul left before appointing leaders. Without guidance, false teachings took root, and the churches struggled. Paul’s letter to Titus served as both encouragement and a public endorsement of Titus’s apostolic authority to preach, teach, and organize the churches. Read aloud in the churches, this letter affirmed Titus’s role and provided clear instructions for establishing leadership.

Let’s dive into Titus 1:1-9, where Paul outlines two foundations for God’s people: God’s truth (vv. 1-4) and godly leadership (vv. 5-9).

Two Foundations

1. The Importance of God’s Truth (Titus 1:1-4)

Core Message: God’s truth transforms us, giving hope and purpose. It changes not just what we do but who we are.

Scripture Points:

• Verse 1: Paul’s identity is rooted in God—he’s a “slave” to God’s will and an “apostle” of King Jesus, carrying the authority to share the Gospel. His mission is to serve God’s elect, those chosen to live by faith and honor Jesus.
• Verses 2-3: The Gospel offers confidence in eternal life, a promise God made before creation. God, who never lies, sent Jesus at the perfect time, fulfilling His plan. Paul was entrusted with sharing this life-changing message.
• Verse 4: Paul calls Titus his “true son,” united by their shared faith. This faith binds all believers together, blessed with God’s grace and peace.

Applications:

• Find your identity in Jesus: Like Paul, see yourself as a servant of God with a purpose—to make disciples.
• Build hope on God’s promises: Spend time in Scripture through personal study, group discussions, meditation, or worship.
• Prioritize Christian community: Our faith unites us with other believers, strengthening us for the mission.

2. The Call for Godly Leadership (Titus 1:5-9)

Core Message: Godly leaders represent Jesus with integrity and truth, guiding the church in its mission and teaching sound doctrine.

Scripture Points:

• Verse 5: Titus’s task was to appoint elders to bring order to Crete’s churches. Paul had left before establishing leadership, leaving the churches vulnerable.
• Verse 6: Elders must be blameless, with personal integrity—a good reputation, faithful in marriage, and children of good character. This reflects their ability to lead well, especially in house churches.
• Verses 7-8: Elders are stewards of God’s household, requiring moral integrity. They must avoid arrogance, anger, drunkenness, violence, or greed. Instead, they should be hospitable, love what is good, live wisely, and pursue holiness.
• Verse 9: Elders must be doctrinally faithful, holding to the truth, teaching sound doctrine, and refuting error. Their lives add credibility to their teaching.

Note on Scope: Paul’s instructions weren’t a rigid blueprint for church governance but a call for leaders to embody Jesus’s truth and character. The specifics varied (e.g., Timothy’s instructions in Ephesus differed), but the principle remains: the church needs godly leaders to make disciples.

Applications:

• Pray for and support church leaders: Lift up your elders, pastors (like Jenny and me), Superintendent Carl Brannon, Bishops Keith Cowart, Kaye Kolde, Kenny Martin, and your church board and teachers.
• Lead with integrity: All believers lead somewhere—home, work, or community. Live blamelessly to point others to Jesus.

Conclusion

Summary: As Christians, we’re called to be transformed by God’s truth and to follow and support leaders who represent King Jesus. We trust God’s promise of eternal life and embrace our mission to make disciples. Living with integrity ensures we don’t discredit Jesus or cause doubt. We encourage each other to grow in maturity and represent Jesus in the world.

Big Idea: God’s Word transforms lives and calls for godly leaders to represent King Jesus. To take the Bible seriously, we must mature in our discipleship, becoming more like Jesus daily, and hold our leaders accountable to reflect Him well.

Challenge: Pray for our church leaders—Bishops, Superintendent Carl Brannon, Jenny and me, our board, and Pastor’s Cabinet member Sue. Your prayers are vital for godly leadership.

Final Thought: We live in the age of the influencer. With 3.4 billion people on social media, influencers shape culture without titles or offices—they lead through their voice and life. Jesus called us to be influencers for His Kingdom through the Great Commission: “Go and make disciples.” Leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about living blamelessly in belief and action, inviting others to follow Jesus. As an African proverb says, “He who thinks he leads and has no one following is only taking a walk.” So, who are you influencing, and where are you leading them? If you follow Jesus, you’re called to lead.

Sunday Prayer: Peace and Harmony

Gracious and loving Father,

You are the source of patience, encouragement, and perfect peace. We come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your divine guidance to live in complete harmony with one another, as is fitting for those who follow Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Fill us with Your Spirit, that we may embody Your love, grace, and unity in all our actions and words. Help us to set aside differences, to bear with one another in patience, and to build each other up in faith. Unite us as one body, so that with a single, joyful voice we may lift up heartfelt praise and glory to You, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. May our lives be a testament to Your transformative power, drawing others to Your everlasting love.

We pray this in the precious name of Jesus, Amen. 

What Type of Relationship?

The Saying We Love

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship.” It’s a popular saying for American Christians, especially in evangelical circles, and it’s got a certain ring to it. The idea behind it is to make Christianity seem more appealing—less about dusty rituals, more about a living connection with Jesus. 

There’s something attractive there, and it’s not entirely off-base. 

After all, Jesus said, “I no longer call you servants… I have called you friends” (John 15:15). The New Testament teaches this personal dynamic—grace, faith, a God who knows us. But here’s where I want to pause: Christianity is a religion. And denying that it is a religion doesn’t just oversimplify—it misses the bigger picture of what God’s doing through the covenant relationship He created through Jesus.

Where the Phrase Holds—and Falters

Let’s take a deeper look at the saying. On one hand, it’s trying to capture something real. It pushes back against the stereotype of religion as cold formalism—think Pharisees with their rules, missing the heart of God. The “relationship” bit highlights how Christianity invites us into something intimate, transformative, and even messy as we face the challenges of maturity. It’s not wrong to say that knowing Jesus changes everything. 

But calling it “not a religion” misses the reality of how we have a relationship with God. Christianity has sacred texts (the Bible), doctrines (Trinity, atonement), rituals (baptism, communion), and disciplines (meditation, prayer, fasting). That’s religion by any definition. To ditch the term “religion” is to set up a false split—religion as the bad guy, relationship as the hero. It sounds catchy, but it is not true.

Covenant: The Bigger Frame

Here’s the thing: Christianity doesn’t need to shed “religion” to appeal to people. It’s a religion defined by a relationship—one that’s rooted in covenant. 

So what’s a covenant? It’s a sacred agreement that is binding. In the case of Christianity, it is an agreement between God and His people, that blends commitment and loyalty with purpose and promise. God doesn’t just deal with us as scattered individuals; He binds us to Himself and to each other through promises that echo across history. Think of Abraham: “I will be your God, and you will be my people” (Genesis 17:7). Or the new covenant in Jesus’ blood, sealing us as a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9). This isn’t just a private “me and Jesus” thing—it’s a communal reality, a people set apart by God.

When “Relationship” Shrinks the Story

The “relationship, not religion” line risks shrinking God’s covenant down. It turns faith into a cozy, solo experience, sidelining the bigger, messier truth of covenant life.

Yes, it’s personal—God knows your name, your doubts, your hopes. But it’s also bigger than you. The Bible’s covenants—from Noah to Moses to Christ—always involve a community with a purpose. Israel’s whole identity was wrapped up in being God’s covenant people, even when they stumbled. The early church got it too, sharing everything and growing together (Acts 2:44-47). That’s not just a personal relationship; that’s religion lived out in the real world.

Why Covenant Matters

So why does this matter? Because leaning too hard on “relationship” alone can miss what God’s after. Covenant means we’re not just in this for ourselves. We’re tied to each other—responsible to help, forgive, and carry burdens. Galatians 6:2 says, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (NLT). That’s not optional; it’s the covenant at work. The phrase might sell books or fill pews, but it’s too small for the God who calls a nation, not just a fan club.

Reframing the Faith

Christianity is a religion, no question about it. 

Christianity is a relationship, that is absolutely correct. 

Christianity is a covenant relationship—personal and communal, intimate and expansive. Maybe the saying needs a rewrite: “Christianity isn’t just a religion—it’s a covenant that makes us God’s people.” 

Less catchy, that is true, but it holds the weight of the story.

The Way of the Pilgrim

 

William Lane, in his book Hebrews: A Call to Commitment, reminds us that as disciples of Jesus, we are pilgrims in this world. He writes,

“In the same intense way that the patriarchs sought a homeland (Hebrews 11:14), Christians seek the City which is to come (Hebrews 13:14). The people of God are called to be a pilgrim people.” (p. 161)

But what does it mean for Christians to be pilgrims?

Pilgrims Travel Toward a Destination

To be a pilgrim means we are on a journey toward a new home. Abraham didn’t know exactly where God was leading him, but he trusted the One who called him. Likewise, we may not fully grasp what the New Creation will be like, but we trust God to bring us there.

One of the weaknesses of the Western Church is our reluctance to truly talk about the importance of the Gospel. The Gospel is the Good News about God’s Kingdom coming into the world through Jesus, so we can be rescued from Satan, sin, and death. 

As I prepared my spring sermon series in 2023 called Asking for a Friend, I answered questions about death, hell, and resurrection. It hit me as I studied for those messages how little I had taught on these topics. Much of our teaching focuses on making the most of life here and now. While being good stewards of what God has given us is important, following Jesus isn’t about securing our best life now—it’s about living in anticipation of what God has prepared for us.

The Bible is clear: life is hard. It is full of struggles, disappointments, tragedies, and broken relationships. This is the reality of living in a world corrupted by sin. Our hope, then, shouldn’t be in achieving comfort or success in this life, but in the promise of life in the New Jerusalem. Being a pilgrim means setting our hope not on the American Dream but on the Kingdom of God.

Pilgrims Travel Lightly

A pilgrim doesn’t settle down but moves forward toward their destination. That means traveling lightly, letting go of what might slow them down.

We often struggle with traveling light. We want to put down roots and build a life around what we can have now. The rich young ruler couldn’t follow Jesus because he was too attached to his wealth. How many of us miss opportunities to follow Jesus because we’re too attached to our jobs, homes, hobbies, or even relationships? Instead of stepping into the unknown of a faithful life, we cling to what is familiar.

The more we have, the more we have to lose—and the more reluctant we are to take risks for God’s Kingdom. One way to break our attachment to material things is through generosity. Giving freely helps us travel lightly, keeping our hearts fixed on God rather than on what we possess.

Pilgrims Trust Their Guide

A pilgrim doesn’t know the way—they rely on a guide. We don’t know the full path ahead, so we trust God to lead us. He guides us through Scripture and the Holy Spirit, navigating us through the mountains and valleys of life.

But are we truly trusting Him if we set conditions on our obedience? Do we say, “I’ll follow You, God, but only if it doesn’t require too much sacrifice, too much giving, too much inconvenience”? Trusting God means taking the next step, even when we don’t see the whole path.

Pilgrims Travel Together

Finally, a pilgrim doesn’t travel alone. To be a Christian is to journey with others toward the same destination. The Church is a fellowship of believers—encouraging, supporting, and bearing one another’s burdens along the way.

As we move toward the New Creation, let’s remember that we are pilgrims in this world. Our eyes must stay fixed on Jesus, the One who has gone before us and prepared the way. Let’s travel lightly, holding the things of this world loosely. Let’s trust God to provide for us. And let’s walk this road together, encouraging one another as fellow pilgrims on the journey home.

Paul’s Ponderings
Reflecting on the truth that transforms.

Transformed by Grace

Four years ago, Josiah Jackson, an 18-year-old pianist, stood at Chicago O’Hare International Airport near Gate C17, eyeing a public piano. Having played since he was four, he couldn’t resist giving it a try. But the keys were sticky, the sound was awful, and he left disappointed, vowing, “One day, I’m going to come back and tune this piano for free.” 

Not only is Josiah a pianist, he is also a piano tuner. Because he did not like the pressure of performing in concerts, he started to learn how to tune pianos, and by 15 he shifted his passion from performing to tuning pianos, finding joy in transforming broken instruments. He called himself The Piano Doctor, sharing his work on YouTube. In 2024, he returned to O’Hare during an eight-hour layover, armed with tuning tools. The piano was in worse shape than he remembered—covered in dust, keys glued with some mysterious substance. After seven hours of meticulous work, Josiah played “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and the piano sounded wonderful. Travelers now play it with joy, and his YouTube video has inspired thousands. Josiah didn’t just fix a piano; he restored its purpose, bringing music back to a busy airport.

Like that piano, we too are out of tune. Sin has broken us, leaving us unable to play the music God created us to sing. Romans 3:23 reminds us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin curses our world, fractures our relationships, and separates us from God, our source of life. We’re not just out of tune; we’re incapable of living out our design to bear God’s image in the world. 

But what if we could be restored? What would it be like to live free from sin’s grip—fully known without shame, loving others perfectly, representing Jesus in all we do? It would be freeing and it would be glorious. We would be able to do the very thing God created us to do.

In Romans 6:1-14, the Apostle Paul shows us how God’s grace transforms us, making us new people who reflect His restoration in how we live. Writing to the church in Rome to summarize his theology, unify believers, and seek support for a mission to Spain, Paul explains how Jesus’ death and resurrection deal with sin’s consequences. Through grace, we’re not left broken but are tuned to play God’s song. Here are three ways grace transforms us, drawn from this powerful passage.

1. Transformed to Live New Lives (Romans 6:1-4)

Paul is appalled at the idea that we’d keep sinning to make God’s grace shine brighter. Grace cost Jesus His life, and through baptism, we’re united with his death and resurrection. Baptism isn’t just a symbol; it’s an act of faith and repentance that ties us to Jesus, his death paying for our sins and his resurrection empowering us to live anew. When we repent, we turn from sin to follow Jesus’ way. We can’t keep sinning intentionally, banking on grace to cover us. God has already given us new lives through His grace, and we’re called to steward them well, living in a way that honors Him.

2. Transformed to a New Relationship (Romans 6:5-11)

Through baptism, we’re dead to sin and alive in Christ’s resurrection. Paul says we’re “set free from the power of sin” (v. 7) and that “death no longer has mastery over us” (v. 9). But temptation still tugs, and death remains a reality—so what does this freedom mean? In 1 Corinthians 15:56, Paul explains that sin’s sting leads to death, and the law gives sin its power by defining right and wrong but not offering a way out. Jesus’ death fulfills the law’s demands, freeing us from its condemnation. Grace builds a new relationship with God, not based on keeping rules but on His unmerited love. We’re no longer slaves to sin but children of God, invited to live in His grace.

3. Transformed for Freedom (Romans 6:12-14)

Grace gives us a choice: How will we live? Will we offer our hands, feet, and minds to sin, walking the wide road of rebellion? Or will we offer ourselves to righteousness, pursuing the narrow road of God’s Kingdom? We’re no longer under the law’s condemnation but under grace’s freedom. This freedom isn’t a license to sin but an empowerment to choose righteousness, to represent King Jesus in all we say and do. And when we stumble, grace promises forgiveness, catching us and setting us back on the path.

A Safety Net of Grace

Imagine San Francisco in 1936, where workers built the Golden Gate Bridge on slippery beams high above the Pacific. A fall meant certain death, and the industry expected one life lost per million dollars spent—35 deaths for a $35 million project. But engineer Joseph Strauss refused to accept that toll. He installed a massive safety net beneath the bridge, costing $130,000 during the Great Depression. That net caught 19 men who fell, earning them the nickname the “Half Way to Hell Club.” One survivor, Al Zampa, said, “They said a man who fell to his death was gone to hell. But we fell only half way to hell.” The net didn’t just save them; it gave them a new chance at life.

This is God’s grace. The law says our sin deserves death, but grace catches us. Like Josiah tuning that O’Hare piano, God restores us, not because we earn it but because He loves us. Because we know His grace is there, we can live confidently, loving God and others, trusting He’ll rescue us when we fall.

Big Idea: God’s Grace Transforms Us

God’s grace transforms us from slaves to sin into instruments of righteousness, free to live for His glory. We’re not defined by our mistakes but by His redemption. Like a tuned piano, we’re called to play the music of His Kingdom, reflecting His love in how we live.

Challenge: Live Transformed

Each day, do two things:

1. Confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness.
2. Commit to follow Jesus that day.

This simple practice reminds us who we are and how we’re called to live. Reflect on where sin is holding you back—your words, thoughts, or actions—and offer that part of your life to God as an instrument of righteousness. Live boldly, knowing His grace catches you.

Closing Thought

You are not the sum of your falls. You are a new creation, caught by grace, tuned by a loving God, and called to sing His praise. So go, live transformed, and let your life be a song for your Creator, Savior, and Father.

Sources: Cathy Free, “An airport piano was filthy and out of tune. He fixed it during a layover”; Historical accounts of the Golden Gate Bridge from Wikipedia, WebUrbanist, and SFGate; Biblical text: Romans 6:1-14, Romans 3:23, 1 Corinthians 15:56.