MAKING CHOICES ( Honesty )

As Ron walked from the school to the gate, Eric rushed up with his face flushed and cheeks red from running. Ron knew that Eric left the school-room last, but why was he in such a hurry.

Eric slowed down as he shouted ‘Wait’ to Ron. Ron stopped, and waited for Eric. Usually the two boys walked home together, but Eric took longer to collect his books, especially with the history exam tomorrow.

‘What’s wrong,?’ questioned Ron, as Eric stopped beside him, almost breathless.

‘I have news for you, Ron,’ said Eric, still puffing.

‘Yeh?’ questioned Ron, as Eric slowly pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, and flashed it at Ron.

‘Guess what I found,’ challenged Eric.

‘Maybe the cricket team list.’ Mr Grant intended choosing the team today.

‘Wrong,’ said Eric, and blurted out ‘It’s tomorrow’s history questions.’ Ron stood still, quite alarmed.

‘Would you like to see them?’ teased Eric, biting his lip as he waited for Ron’s response, and realising that history was Ron’s weakest subject. He could help Ron pass well.

Like a flash Ron remembered his father’s reading of the Bible at breakfast that morning, .

‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’

The questions may have given Ron a valuable history mark, but he resisted the temptation.

Without hesitating, Ron answered, ‘No, Eric, I do not wish to see it. I am a christian on the Lord’s side, with Mum and Dad., and I will not cheat.’

Suddenly, Eric stopped walking as he thought of Ron’s brave decision , for he, too, came from a Christian family. Eric realised in that moment his deceitful action. Quickly he turned, ran back to the classroom where he placed the unopened letter on the teacher’s desk. Ron hurried off home to study for the next day’s history exam.

Next morning Eric confessed his theft to the teacher, who commended him for his courage in telling the truth, but also rebuked Eric for yielding to an evil temptation.

Happily, Ron and Eric both passed their history exam.

Be certain you always make the right choice.

Joshua stood bravely before his people as they faced some evil decisions. He challenged the people to ‘choose today whom you will serve – God or Satan – as for me and my family, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD.’

There may have been other people present who intended making a wrong choice. Yet, after Joshua’s brave statement, they agreed with him, ’We will (determine to ) serve the Lord.’

A good choice is to obey God and select what is right and excellent.

Read the decision of Joshua 24: verses 14-18

Memorise this verse. Then write a list of your right choices this week.

If you have made some wrong decisions, then confess them to God, and ask him to forgive you, believing that when Jesus shed His blood, He paid the price for that sin. Thank Him for His love and forgiveness.