The Tyranny of Choice

The United States is known as the land of the free, with liberty for all. Its very government was built on choice to escape religious oppression and political tyranny. There was the choice of electing one’s leaders, rather than the acceptance of a royal dynasty. There was the choice to own property, as you were able. There was the choice of education and profession. There was the choice of religion, or no religion. There was freedom of speech, to express one’s self religiously or politically. Government had no power to suppress that personal choice.

Governmentally speaking, ‘choice’ was a delightful baby in a world of oppression. It allowed for mutual respect of all citizens, and coexistence in peace. It provided the incentive to be all that you could be, and, in the free market system, America became the richest and most powerful country in the world. The gospel and the church flourished here because of this very freedom, and it became a beacon of light to darker nations.

However, ‘choice’ did not have a birth certificate stamped with the gospel of Christ, or the word of God. ‘Choice’ was conceived in the womb of assumption, that its citizens would be grounded in morality and virtue. The second American president wrote, ‘Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other’.¹

Now ‘choice’ has grown up and has become a king not a servant. ‘Choice’ gives a woman the legal freedom to kill a baby in her womb. ‘Choice’ grants the freedom, without being judged, to choose a sexual lifestyle, when and with whoever one chooses. ‘Choice’ permits one the liberty to marry the same sex. ‘Choice’ gives one the right to be a witch, or a wizard, and worship Satan, or a plate of spaghetti.

‘Choice’ is not a preacher. It does not instruct in absolute morals, ethics, or virtue. ‘Choice’ is conscienceless and sterile. ‘Choice’ is non-judgmental, is not biased, is tolerant, is accepting of all, is kind, fun, and ‘love’.

But now ‘choice’ as a master is tyrannical. It demands that it be submitted to as the only way – the truth. To criticize another’s choice as sin is to sin against ‘choice’! To choose to refuse another’s choice in your business, or school, or even a church’s legal functions such as marriage, is becoming a criminal act and could soon be seen worthy of punishment. To not grant ‘choice’ in every area of your life and government is looked at as insubordination and insurrection. ‘Choice’ now wields the sword – bow or be punished. ‘Choice’ judges those who judge her.

Sadly, ‘choice’ decrees that the judging of evil is more wrong than the doing of evil. It will not tolerate what doesn’t tolerate her. ‘Choice’ will not accept those who do not accept her. ‘Choice’ will censure absolutely those that claim absolutes. She will not let others choose who don’t choose her.

The gospel and the church

The gospel of God in His Son Jesus Christ the Lord is offered equally to all sinners. It doesn’t consider colour, gender, age, class, country, lifestyle, or religious pedigree. Any sinner who repents of his or her sin, wrong choices, and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who fully bore our sins in death, and rose again, is equally blessed. They are saved from sin, self, and Satan. They will never see judgement, but have eternal life.

A sinner is not forced to do this. He has a choice. But if he chooses to come to Jesus as Lord, then Christ and not ‘choice’ will be his Lord. His new thinking will be like his Saviour, ‘not my will, but thine, be done’.² This is because he is born again of the Spirit with a new heart that now desires and is able to understand God’s choices. The gospel teaches and provides true virtue and morality. The believer is to show he agrees with God, that Jesus is Lord, by public baptism.

But beware! ‘Choice’ will try to regain control of the mind. It will tell you that ‘grace’ still allows you to choose. It will tell you that choosing to obey the Lord Jesus’ commands is bondage, not love. It will tell you that your choices are more logical than God’s choices. It won’t tell you that God’s choices can free you from the power of sin to be all that you can be for His glory. It won’t tell you that in being a slave to God you will be free to experience true joy and spiritual heart satisfaction.

‘Choice’ will tell you to go to the church of your choice. It will let you choose what you like: your style of ‘worship’, music, or church government. It will promise you liberty. And, in time, it will liberate you and your children – from the wisdom of God, and a spirituality that comes from the church functioning by means of the Lord’s choices. The Lord’s teaching is: a plurality of gifted men involved in a church meeting; the man’s headship over the woman; the centrality of the Lord’s Supper in keeping us focused upon Christ; and holiness by the purging of sin and bad doctrine that can spread like leaven in the Christian church. ‘Choice’ will free you – from God’s growth, joy and rewards. Christ will bless you.