10/19/26 MAKE YOUR OWN CHOICE

10/19/26 MAKE YOUR OWN CHOICE

Think about this... how many contemporaries of the following list of Bible characters do you think were as receptive, accepting, discerning, responsive to the call of God, obedient to the voice of God, the presence of God, the instructions of God, the wisdom of God, the corrections of God, as were Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Eliezer, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Eli, Samuel, David, Nathan, the Prophets of God, the godly Kings and Priests of Israel?

Very few of those who lived near these men had the same thoughts, beliefs, insights, values, understanding as these men, even when they had the same truths presented to them. Very few followed the moral and religious example seen in these men. It was a personal choice, not a fatalistic decree from God. God will allow us to choose faith or disobedience.

Matthew 7:13-14

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Romans 12:1-3

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

The failure of others to follow godly counsel and example is not an excuse for us to be slack in our submission and faith. Deliberately be part of, "The few, the humble, the Church."

James 4:7-10
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

1 Peter 5:6-11
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.