The Mill
Filters – Choices, Decisions, and God
Session 3

Everyone of us, will inevitably find ourselves in a position where we have thought it through, and a decision isn’t right or wrong, and no one decision seems to be wiser than any of the others. Maybe this is the college you’re choosing, the car you need to buy, or the job opportunity you should take.
What do we do with decisions where no one option seems wiser or right?

Filter #3 – Are you serving yourself or serving others?
Does either choice offer the opportunity to help another?

The heart of this question is the focus of our mind, are we focused on ourselves or on others.
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus is telling us about the coming day of judgment when He will separate the believers from the non-believers, like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. And He says to His ‘sheep,’ “For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in. I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.” To which the righteous ask, when they had ever done any of those things. In Jesus’ reply we gain a glimpse into the Kingdom of God.
“Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did for Me.”

Then Jesus turns and tells the ‘goats’ that they didn’t do all the things which the righteous had done. The ‘goats’ ask Jesus when they had ever seen Him in need or want and Jesus replies, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
Jesus Christ’s heart, and the heart of the Kingdom of Heaven is about others.

But, what if no choice still differentiates itself?
“And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” [Colossians 3:17]
Just pick one. Just pick one. Just pick one. But, whatever you pick, whatever you choose, whatever you decide, carry the name of the Lord Jesus.

“We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus Christ may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that His life may also be revealed in our mortal body.” [2 Corinthians 4:10-11]
Wherever you go, whatever you do, carry the name of Jesus Christ.
There are thousands of companies and celebrities and forces in the world that want you to carry their name, but carry the name above all names.
Stop and think. When people think about you, what names do they think of?
Are you carrying the name of Jesus Christ?
Have you been representing Him in a way which is bringing Him honor and glory?

This principle is the very climax of the entire series. It is the heart of every filter, and part of the essence of what it means to be a Christian.
So why didn’t we start with this question?
Because we all, as Christians, want to glorify and exalt God, but it is such a lofty and unfathomable ambition, that we lose the path and make some bad decisions along the way. Then, we find ourselves later on down the road, carrying a name other than Christ, whether it be our own, or money, or a clothing brand. We lose sight of what we were to anchor ourselves to, our cornerstone and foundation.

Last of all, consider, is Jesus carrying you? As much as we need to carry the name of Jesus, we cannot do it. Our strength is not enough. If we want to want to carry the name of Jesus, we must first humble ourselves and ask Jesus to carry us.

“Do not conform to the patterns of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then your will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” [Romans 12:2]

Carry the name of Jesus.