MAKING CHOICES

INTRO:

1. The word "choice" comes from the Greek word "eklego" and means "to pick out, to select."

2. The word "choice" and its derivatives are used well over 150 times in the Bible.

3. In many of these places, it has to do with God making choices of men, nations, places, etc.

4. Making choices, on man's part, especially in certain areas of activity, can become quite a chore and a matter of concern.

5. But, regardless of the difficulty we might have in making choices, we must of necessity do so.

A. The Lord has placed us here as responsible beings and has left it up to us to make choices.

B. Sometimes, I hear brethren pray and say, "Lord choose our changes for us." It is well and good to pray to God to help us by giving us the strength and wisdom to make the right choices, but it is our responsibility to make the choice and not His.

6. Joshua told the children of Israel to "choose you this day whom you will serve..." Jos. 24:15.

A. And from what is said in vs. 22, it seems that they made the right choice.

7. It seems , from what we read in Deut. 30:19,20, that Israel is called upon to make a choice between physical life and physical death.

A. And when we get right down to it, we too are called upon to choose between spiritual life and spiritual death.

8. Now let us notice some areas wherein we must make choices:

I. SINFUL THINGS:

A. We should know that sin is a transgression of God's law. 1 Jno. 3:4.

B. We should also know that no sinner can inherit the heavenly kingdom or eternal life. Gal. 5:19-21.

1. Therefore, if we love God and desire to go to heaven after this life is over; maybe it will make it easier to make the choice between sin and righteousness.

II. THINGS WHEREIN WE HAVE LIBERTY:

A. These are things that are not wrong within themselves, but sometimes it is not expedient for us to engage in such. 1 Cor. 8:1-13; Gal. 5:13,14; 1 Pet. 2:13-17.

1. In such matters as these, we should be willing to forego our involvement if such might be construed the wrong way by a weak brother or one of the world.

2. In doing so, it is not suggested that we give up everyting that we might enjoy and are engaged in, that is right, just because some person might be a fanatic nit-picker and contentious trouble maker.

a. Such a person as this, should not be heeded in the things we are doing but rather he should be marked and disciplined if he continues in such.

III. IMPORTANT THINGS:

A. These are things that play a very important part in our every day life.

1. Our family:

a. Loving our wives as ourselves. Eph. 5:28.

b. Being in subjection to our husbands. Eph. 5:22.

c. Bringing up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6:4.

d. Obeying our parents in the Lord for this is right. Eph. 6:1-3.

2. Our jobs:

a. We must work. 1 Tim. 5:8; 1 Thes. 4:11; 2 Thes. 3:10-12.

b. But this work must be honorable employment. Rom. 12:17; 2 Cor. 8:21; Eph. 4: 28.

c. It must be employment that would put God first. Matt. 6:33.

3. Where to live:

a. All moves should be preconsidered in the light of many things.

b. If one is not strong in the faith and has strong potential within himself for starting and maintaining a sound congregation wherever he might be, he should never move his family to a place where no sound church exists.

c. Even though the move might mean a higher position with the company and higher wages, the most important thing is the salvation of the souls of you and your family.

IV. ESSENTIAL THINGS:

A. These are things that are indespensable to one's pleasing God and being saved.

B. These are things that must of necessity be done.

1. Believe in God. Heb. 11:6.

2. Believe in His Son. Jno. 3:16; 8:24.

3. Believe in His Word. Jno. 8:32; 17:17.

4. Love God.

5. Love His Son.

6. Love His church.

7. Become a Christian.

8. Worship God.

9. Be faithful in His service.

10. Love the Christian life.

11. Put God first in our lives.

12. Love our neighbor as ourselves.

CONCLUSION:

1. Yes, there are many choices that we must make.

2. Remember the choice that Joshua made. Jos. 24:15.

3. Alien sinner, what choice are you going to make today?

4. Erring child of God, are you coming back to the fold today?

5. Please pray over every decision and meditate upon it before you make it.

6. Jesus prayed all night before He chose His twelve apostles and sending them out on the limited commission. Lk. 6:12-15; Matt. 10.

By Jim Sasser

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