THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING RIGHT CHOICES IN LIFE
- Life is full of choices
- The choices that we make in life can in some cases impact us for a life time
- In terms of our response to Jesus offer of eternal life, even for eternity
- The choices that we make will in many ways determine the fruitfulness of our life here on earth
- If we continually involve God in all that we do in life we will invariably make wise choices in life that are in line with His will for our life
- Making right choices in life will save us many heartaches
- I WILL BEGIN BY LOOKING AT A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER IN RELATION TO MAKING RIGHT CHOICES IN LIFE
i. God knows what is best for us in every area of our life. In the book of Jeremiah we read,
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Jesus said, “...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
ii. God’s ways are higher than our ways. In the book of Isaiah we read,
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) WE NEED TO KNOW GOD’S WAYS FOR OUR LIFE
iii. God knows the heart of every person – A key when making important decisions in relation to who to connect with, is to know the genuineness and sincerity of people’s hearts – God wants us not to make mistakes in our life that will cause us pain and suffering
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:27)
iv. The Devil is always looking for an opportunity to sidetrack us and to destroy our faith and life. The Apostle Peter wrote,
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
v. OUR CHOICES WILL IMPACT THE LIVES OF OTHERS (We need to always live with eternity in mind – storing up treasures in heaven) Jesus Himself said,
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honour.” (John 12:26)
- The importance of helping others to come to Christ (given the reality of heaven and hell and what Christ did for every person in laying down His life as a ransom for us on the cross, so that all who believe in Him will be saved) In the book of Proverbs we read,
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30) WE NEED TO CHOOSE TO SHARE OUR FAITH WITH UNBELIEVERS
- The importance of connecting with and choosing to work together with other believers – As you encourage and support others that God brings into your life, your own God given destiny will also unfold. (We all need each other)
- The Apostle Paul wrote,
“But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.” (1 Corinthians 12:18-22)
In the book of Romans Paul wrote,
“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” (Romans 12:4-5)
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: If prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8)
WE ALL NEED TO CHOOSE TO USE OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS. The Apostle Paul wrote,
“Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.” (1 Corinthians 14:12)
In the book of Hebrews we read,
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
vi. We need to be focussed on what God has called us to do in life and make choices in line with His will for our life – This is a major key to living an abundant life that is full of purpose and meaning AND MUCH FRUIT. We have one life to store up eternal treasures. The Apostle Paul wrote,
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)
GOD’S PLAN FOR OUR LIFE UNFOLDS PROGRESSIVELY OVER TIME
AS WE ARE FAITHFUL IN THE LITTLE GOD ENTRUSTS TO US GREATER RESPONSIBILITES
IN PSALM 37 WE READ,
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD and He delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23)
vii. Consistently making right choices in life is a key to maintaining God’s peace in our heart – the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. In the book of Isaiah we read,
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:3-4)
viii. THE PEACE OF GOD MUST CONTINUALLY BE OUR UMPIRE WHEN MAKING CHOICES IN LIFE.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)
I WILL NOW LOOK AT A PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE IN ACTS:
“When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty of Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.”
“Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.”
“Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbour of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.
When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.” (Acts 27:7-14)
SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE SHIP WAS INDEED SHIPWRECKED.
FROM THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE WE CAN SEE A NUMBER OF THINGS:
Ø We must be careful about who we receive counsel from (We need godly counsel)
Ø Even the majority can be wrong
Ø At times circumstances may seem to support what we are about to do, or wanting to do, but we must never make decisions based on our feelings or what looks right if we don’t have God’s peace
(The simple fact is our feelings can be very misleading)
Ø THEREFORE, IF WE HAVE TURMOIL IN OUR SPIRIT, we must never proceed with a course of action until we have peace. If there is no peace about a pending decision, NEVER go ahead with that course of action. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE CONSEQUENCES
ix. FINALLY, For our lives to make a big difference in this world which is full of so many ungodly influences, WE MUST DAILY CHOOSE TO ALLOW THE LORD TO DIRECT OUR STEPS IN LIFE
I WILL NOW FINISH WITH THREE MAJOR KEYS TO MAKING RIGHT CHOICES IN LIFE
1) HAVING INTIMACY IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD (Having CONTINUAL communion and fellowship with the Lord)
- It is so important that we have a lifestyle of prayer. The Apostle Paul wrote,
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
- It is so important that we involve God in all that we do in life. This is a key to consistently making right and wise choices in life. In the book of Proverbs we read,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
- It is so important that we learn to listen for and to heed the voice of the Lord. Just doing what Jesus tells us to do. Jesus Himself said,
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)
In the book of Psalms we read,
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
WE NEED TO MAKE TIME TO SPEND IN GOD’S PRESENCE SO THAT WE CAN HEAR FROM GOD. IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE WE SEE JESUS EMPHASISING THE IMPORTANCE OF SPENDING TIME WITH HIM:
“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
- We must never allow the busyness of life to rob us of our time with the Lord
- We must learn to continually rest in the Lord and to not allow life’s many responsibilities to get us into a driven mode. We need to learn to continually walk in the spirit
- IN DOING THIS WE WILL BE LESS LIKELY TO REACT UNDER PRESSURE AND TO BE MOVED BY OUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND MAKE WRONG CHOICES ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT
- When under pressure and when in need of help, we must learn to instinctively go to the Lord in prayer rather than making rash decisions.
- The Apostle Paul wrote,
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
- KING DAVID ALWAYS SOUGHT THE LORD WHEN IN TROUBLE. IN THE BOOK OF SAMUEL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT WE SEE AN EXAMPLE OF THIS:
“Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive.
Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. BUT DAVID STRENGTHENED HIMSELF IN THE LORD HIS GOD.”
Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the Brook, Besor, where those stayed who were left behind. But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the Brook Besor. (1 Samuel 30:1-10)
“So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives.” (1 Samuel 30:18)
Though King David was under great pressure and greatly distressed and even though the people were speaking about stoning him, King David strengthened himself in the LORD and sought counsel from Him as to what to do.
King David knew that His source of strength was in the LORD and that seeking the mind of God in the circumstances was the most important thing for him to do before making a decision on what to do.
Continually seeking counsel from God, even during times of great duress and hardship, is a major key to continually making right choices in life. To run ahead and make rash spur of the moment decisions in life can potentially cause us many heartaches and problems in life.