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Making choices is an important part of human being. Whether that choice is good or bad, it is inevitable for us as human to live without making choices. Even when it looks like one is silent and seemingly indecisive, choices may have been made because indecision itself is a choice. This is very important, this matter of making the correct choices in life. However, you know, you don’t CHOOSE whether you come into the world or not; that is God’s choice. You did not choose to be born; God did not ask you or me if we wanted to come into this world. He didn’t ask us about WHERE we were to be born, or whether we WANTED to be born, or WHEN we wanted to be born, or anything of the sort. So, coming into the world and being alive is not our choice. That was the LORD’S. The Bible says that the Lord “giveth;” that is, He gives LIFE. And the Lord “taketh away;” He takes away life. So, you see, this business of being in the world was not our choice; it was the choice of the Lord, for He is the One who gives life.But, being in this world, we do have choices to make.However, the choice one makes ultimately determines the kind of life he/she lives. Our choices in life contribute to what becomes of us. I dare to challenge you to make the right choice.
I. CHOICES WHICH GREATLY AFFECT OUR LIVES
A. CHOOSING JESUS…
Will you follow Jesus or not? Will you become His disciple? Or will you refuse to accept His gracious offer of salvation – Mt 11:28-30
This one decision will affect your life more than any other! It will determine your place in eternity,it will have a bearing on every other decision you make. As a disciple, you will be concerned with doing His will and you will not simply “do your own thing”
B. CHOOSING A CAREER…
Even from a worldly viewpoint, your choice is important. The job market is always changing. The wrong choice could lead to financial ruin or fiscal hardship. More importantly, the choice can have a lasting effect on: Your marriage and family or even onyour service to God.
If you make the choice to honour God first, and you will be blessed- Mt 6:33. But if you make money the primary factor in your decision and destruction will follow – 1Tim. 6:9-10
C. CHOOSING A MATE…
This choice will determine to a great extent your degree of happiness –Pro.12:4.It will have a permanent bearing on your children and their emotional well-being, You may think you can simply divorce a person if they turn out to be a bad choicebut once you have children, there is no way to reverse the choice you made as to who is the mother or father of your children! The children are not unaffected by the violence of divorce – cf.Mal 2:15 – 16
D. CHOOSING YOUR FRIENDS…
Having close friends can be a wonderful blessing – cf. Pro 17:17. But the wrong friends can be a curse – cf. Pro 12:26; 1Cor 15:33
E. CHOOSING WHERE TO LIVE…
It was this choice where Lot made his mistake. It appeared to be a sound business decision – Gen 13:10-11But it was a poor moral decision – Gen 13:13 . Upon what basis do we choose where to live? Is it based solely on how much of house we can afford? Is it based upon the location to work, school, etc.? Do we consider whether it will help or hinder our service to God and His church? There may be some modern-day “Sodom” and “Gomorrah” to avoid!
[For every action there is a reaction, and for every choice there is a consequence. To increase the likelihood that our choices will have good consequences, here are a few…]
II. SUGGESTIONS FOR MAKING WISE CHOICES
A. ASK GOD FOR WISDOM…
1. He promises to give wisdom to those who ask in faith – Jms 1:5-8
2. Asking for wisdom requires diligence –Pro 2:1-9
— Fill your prayers with requests for wisdom to make wise choices!
B. ASK OTHERS FOR ADVICE…
1. There is safety in having many counsellors – Pro 11:14
2. There is wisdom in heeding the counsel of others – Pro 12:15
3. Two great sources for counsel:
a. The Bible itself, especially a book like Proverbs
b. Older, mature Christians
— Don’t hesitate to ask others what they would do!
C. COMMIT YOUR CHOICES TO THE LORD…
2. Make your choices with the understanding, “if the Lord wills” – Jms 4:13-15
3. One might even ask the Lord that if a choice is not according to His will…
a. He might frustrate the carrying out of the choice
b. Or to otherwise show you what is His will
Include God in your decision making, if you wish to make wise choices!
[There will be times when it becomes apparent that we made poor choices, even wrong ones. What can we do to avoid making matters worse…?]
III. RESPONDING TO WRONG CHOICES
A. LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF OTHERS…
1. Do what Lot did: Heed and flee!
a. Heed the Word of God
b. Do what you now know to be right without reservation (remember Lot’s wife!)
2. Do what Peter did: Repent and serve!
a. Repent, if sin is involved (as when Peter denied Christ)
b. Serve the Lord with what time you have left in this life
3. Do what Paul did: Accept and live!
a. Accept the forgiveness Jesus provides – cf. 1Tim 1:12-16
b. Determine to live for the Lord to the best of your ability – cf. Php 3:13-14
B. THE WRONG THING TO DO…
1. Continue – remain in the choice you’ve made because of pride, or some other reason!
2. Wallow – just feel sorry for yourself over your guilt or loss!
PST. FEMI ATODE
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