The act of Choosing Choosing today determines your future

1. CHOICES
PREACHER IKE ANSAH
CHURCH OF CHRIST
BUBIASHIE – AYIGBE TOWN CONGREGATION

2. CHOICES
WHY THE NEED TO APPLY WISDOM IN CHOOSING.
INTRODUCTION
1. The word “choice” from Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
a. The act of choosing.
b. Power of choosing
c. Care in choosing
2. This verb occurs about 170 times in the Old Testament with the consistent meaning
“choose”.
a. About two-third of these references indicating choice made by God,
b. The one-third represents choice made by humans.
c. The Old Testament makes it clear that “choice” has both negative and positive
connotations.

3. 2. c. ….
i . Negative with respect to Israel choosing to worship idols rather than Jehovah
Cf: Judges 5:8, 10:14, Isaiah 40:20, 41:24.
ii . Again, it sometimes comes with special advice to choose or pick the rightful
object to ensure long term gains cf. Deuteronomy 30:19, Joshua 24:15; 22,
Psalms 119:30, 173.
iii . Furthermore, it at times comes with or carries a warning for wrongful choice
cf Isaiah 65:12, 66:3.
3. In the New Testament the verb” choose” in Greek “eklegomai” occurs about
twenty times and all meaning “choose”
a. As seen in His divine selection (choosing of His own) Cf Mark 13:20,
Acts13:17, 15:7, Ephesians 1:3:5.
b. He (God) does the unthinkable to shame the wise cf 1 Corinthians 1:27ff.

4. I. THINK ABOUT THESE:
THE TWO MAJOR FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN MAKING CHOICES.
A. CHOICES IN “ SATAN” DIRECTION AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS.
1. It is always sugar quoted.
2. It always comes with quick and fast benefits 1 John 2:15-17 cf James 1:17.
3. It comes with no standard and therefore no requirements needed. (Easy to do)
4. Always flexible and with relaxed or no or non monitoring acts. Free to do.
5. Always enticing- Genesis 3:6, Proverbs 1:10-14, cf. Proverbs 13:11.
6. Always having great multitude practicing it.
7. Painted to look attractive from the outside.
8. Always looking promising, with no promises or bitter pressures from within.
9. Like “sin” it always gives you the opposite of what it promises: e.g. It promises
“sky”, but gives grave in the end. Full of deceptive acts.
CHOICES cont…..

5. B. CHARACTERISTICS OF GODLY CHOICE(S):
1. It always comes with a “ work to do” Cf. John 14:15; 15:14; Philippians 2:12.
2. All its benefits comes at the end of the work assigned. Colossians 3:23-25; Ephesians 1:3-5,
John 14:1-4.
3. Such benefits are uncompared or NOT comparable IN ANYWAY-
2 Corinthians 4:17-18; Ephesians. 3:8; Hebrews 12:1-2
4. Please, kindly ponder on the statement “Nothing Good comes so easy”
i. I wish and pray you will get to mining company to see for yourself how gold is mined and
processed.
ii . I wish you can have little time to do some things like:
a. Measuring the heat temperature from the furnace during refining.
b. Have time to measure the dynamite 🧨 explosion sound.
c. The volume of particles that comes with such explosive acts.
d. The act of preventing used water from the mill from polluting other water
bodies. You will truly appreciate the kind of effort needed.

6. 5. Self control at the highest level is needed at all times, and this demands our
trust in the Lord- Proverbs 3:5-6. The need to be directed or led by the spirit-
Galatians 5:16, and the commitment to walk in Love- Galatians 5:13-14.
6. This is a litmus test indicating- living in obedience to God’s Word.
7. Remember, this requires self control- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; and that is a gift
from God and a fruit of the spirit Galatians 5:22-23 cf Proverbs 25:28

7. ** “ if” the “ if” clause is neglected.
A. It could be detrimental when chosen:
i. Wrongly
ii. Hastily
iii. With no recourse to God, prayer, proper examination, scrutiny and
investigation.
As seen in the case of Lot in Genesis 13:
It would be of great benefits if it is done with God as Daniel exhibited -
Daniel 1:; demonstrated by the three HEBREW youth boys in - Daniel 3.
II. CHOICE( S) CAN BE EITHER DETRIMENTAL OR BENEFICIAL:

8. 1. THE CHOICE OF WHOM TO WORSHIP ( GOD OR MAN)
a. Moses made a declaration about whom the world should worship-
Deuteronomy 18:15-19; cf John 1:45-51, Acts 3:20-23
b. The voice from heavens pronouncement: Matthew 3:13-17, 17:1-10.
c. Jesus’ own pronouncement after His resurrection- Matthew 28:18-20 cf.
Matthew11:28-30.
** God the Elohim has spoken and given us the choice of whom to worship- Jesus
Christ with numerous blessings here and eternity.
• All we need to do is to …………..:
i. Become like Him through discipleship.
ii. Do His will as a disciple- John 14:15; 15:14
iii. Go to Him- Philippians 4:6-7
iv. Ask Him Matthew 7:7
v. Remain faithfully in Him- John 15:7.

9. 2. THE CHOICE OF WHO OR WHOM TO MOVE WITH (Friend)
i. There are many dangers associated with friendship.
ii. Many benefits are also derived from making friends.
iii. All we need to do when making friends is to involve the creator and also doing
the needful.
Read: Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 12:26; 18:24ff; 27:9; cf 1 Corinthians 15:33
WATCH THESE PAIRS
a. Ruth and Naomi
b. David and Abiathar
c. Elijah and Elisha
d. Jesus and Lazarus
Read Proverbs 22:24-25

10. CHOICE OF “CHOOSING A LIFE PARTNER”
1. THINGS TO PONDER ON:
a. Malachi 2: 16- “God hate’s divorce”
b. Matthew 19:1-12
* Remember Jesus’ saying “ Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to
whom it has been given”.
2. There is urgent need for prayer coupled with due diligence since marriage is “ life-
long “ Proverbs 19:14; 12:4.
3. Your happiness, peace, growth ( both physical and spiritual) depends on the marriage
life your are mapping. Once “joined together “it will always “takes two” called “one “
by God to do. 1 Peter 3:7
Once one becomes a “ yoke fellow” certain words need to give way for others to take up
their places in marriage. The “ I “ and “ Me “ should give way to the “ We “ and “ Us “
this needs proper examination and understanding of the marriage principles.
Do well to think about it life- long nature before joining.

11. THE CHOICE OF PLACE OF RESIDENT ( TEMPORAL OR PERMANENT).
1. Always keep in mind all choices comes with its own consequences.
Some:
a. For the “good” of it.
b. Others “bad”.
2. Therefore “choosing” must be of a greater concern for all, irrespective of ones
religious background.
3. Flowing from our previous discussions, choice can be very detrimental when done
hastily and wrongly, it could be of greater benefits when done with the Lord and with
great care.
4. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God……….”
So therefore in choosing there is the urgent need to “go” to the Lord in prayer “ask” and
allow His will to direct your path.
5. Always ask yourself few questions when it comes or faced with choice of residency.
a. Will it favor my day to day presence with the Lord?
b. Can I give proper account to the Lord with regards to my worship?
c. Would I be able to resist and to do the needful in the place I found myself?
d. How would people see me if I coiled into my shell?
e. Proper examination is needed at all times when choosing- 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

12. CHOICE OF WORK
1. All good work(s) is / are acceptable irrespective of the type or kind.
2. All these works should not have anything against the Law of God.
3.Therefore, selecting a carrier , there is the need for due diligence. This is because it
can have lasting telling effect on our :
* Journey to heaven.
* General family life
* General decision
making .
4. It would have been better for each and every individual to have known the scriptures
early.
* This is an ideal - 2 Tim 3:15.

13. REASON
* This would have help in equating our various job in relation to our salvation.
* Meaning nothing and absolutely nothing could be done without thinking
about our salvation - Hebrews 9:27,1 Peter 2:11, 2 Corinthians 5:1-3
* It will imply proper examination, scrutiny and analysis of everything we do in
the name of job or work or carrier- 1 Thessalonians 5:21.
* Thus will help us to do everything to glorify Him (God) - Matthew 6:33, 1
Corinthians 10:31.
* Finally, it will help us to take care with issues regarding our salvation. Always
giving first things the first approach(es).

14. HOW TO “ GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME”- CHOICE
1. ASK GOD FOR WISDOM AND DIRECTION.
i. Learn from King Solomon’s example I Kings 3:3-15. He (the King) knew he
cannot do it by himself, asked God for wisdom.
ii. Remember, God’s word in Mark 11:23-24, John 15:7-8.
iii Note : wisdom is reserved for those who walk uprightly Proverbs 2:1-9.
iv Act on Matthew 7:7 and keep it simple “ it is not over until it is over” so
therefore:
Keep knocking
Keep seeking
Keep searching the divine wisdom.

15. 2. FAILURE EXIST WHERE THERE IS NO WISE COUNSEL.
A . In the multitude of counselors there is always safety -Proverbs 11:14,12:15
What we need here: Experience and maturity in Christ with regards to good
counseling. Consult the elderly and the matured Christians for direction.
3. MAKE SURE YOUR CHOICE ( S) IS OR ARE IN CONFORMITY WITH
GOD’S STANDARD.
A. This can only be possible “ if” we begins with God and ends with Him as well.
i . God always has good plans for our lives as He told the Israelites- Jeremiah 29:11.
ii . All we need to do is to commit our ways to Him Ps 55:22
iii .Trust Him He will do it- Ps 37:5-6
a. For He is faithful- Hebrews 10:23, Ps 37: 35-26.

16. CONCLUSION
1. Always begins with the Lord and ends with Him as well and it shall surely be well.
2. Learn to get it “right the first time and better always “and it shall surely come to pass.
3. Always be ready to learn from others mistakes to avoid being a victim too along the
line.
MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS YOU FOR GOING TO MAKE GOOD
CHOICE(S),