Uncertainty

Introduction

Decisions and choices are a part of life. Many times, the Bible speaks about the specific choice at hand. Don't kill. Don't commit adultery. Don't steal. Don't lie. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor. Other choices, like your favorite color or your favorite food, lack significant moral ramifications and are left to each person.

Other decisions fall between these two extremes and consequently, are some of the most difficult to make. This evening I would like to briefly look at four things that I find helpful when faced with these decisions.

Point of Reference

First. I like to recall some things that will stay constant regardless of my decision. Three verses that highlight three constants are Malachi 3:6 "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed." Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." The Father, the Son and Word will always be and always be the same.

The Final Goal

Second. I like to consider the final goal. Paul knew what the final goal was in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." An eternal home in heaven is the goal. With this in mind I consider which course of action takes me closer to heaven.

The Means

Third. Having considered the end I consider the means. Jesus tells us the means in Matthew 22:37-39 "And He said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" The two questions that follow are: How will each choice affect my service to God and how will each choice affect my service to my family both physical and spiritual, my friends and others?

Prayer, Patience and Hope

Last on my list but my first resort is prayer, patience and hope. Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Praying about a decision gives me a proper attitude and forces to say, "Not my will, but God's will." Patients teaches me to say, "Not my will, but God's will in God's time." And hope teaches me to look for the answer in His word and in the experience of older and wiser Christians.

Conclusion

Choices are a part of life but one choice trumps all others. The choice to follow Christ is the most important choice you will ever make. Perhaps you're ready to make that choice right now.