Choosing the Right Side (Mark 8:31-38), Part 1 – Introduction

In Genesis, we read the story of Joseph as a slave in Potiphar’s house. Potiphar was the captain of Pharoah’s bodyguards. He trusted Joseph so much he made him manager of his household. Joseph carried out his assignments well. However, because he was young and probably good-looking, he attracted the attention of Potiphar’s wife who attempted to seduce him. However Joseph refused to give in to her and answered, “How can I do such a wicked thing and sin against God (Gen 39:9).” Joseph made a choice and, as history shows, he chose to the right side to be on.

The challenge to take the right side still confronts us today many times in our lives. Whose side are we on in the daily decisions of our lives? There are so many choices that seem right to us. How do we know we have chosen to make the right decision? In Mark 8:31-38, we can find the answer. We see Jesus himself confronting his disciples with their very understanding of him. It is only with the power of understanding Christ that, after his resurrection, they were able to make the right decisions in life. Only then could they choose the right side to be on as they carried out their mission in life. However, the text itself is not a dummies’ guide to choosing the right side. Instead, we can we can see three principles that should guide our decision-making. When we consistently follow these three principles, we can be sure we are choosing the right side and making the right choices in life. Over the next few days, I will post what I believe to be the 3 principles that should guide our decision-making in life.