When we wake up in the morning our choosing begins. We decide which clothing to put on. We decide what we want to eat for breakfast. We decide what we will read for morning worship. Then we decide what work we will do for the day. Also, we decide what thoughts we want to be thinking about. Our free time is important. We can watch television or read the Bible. Our religion requires many choices that we must make, like, will we do missionary work or do something at home for ourselves? In the time of Isaiah, the church of God, Israel, did not choose to be with God, but chose their own ways.

“He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before Mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighteth not.” Isaiah 66:3–4

We must choose first what we want, then God will respect the choice according we have chosen. We are what we have chosen.

“You can make yourself what you choose. If you will now face right about, cease to do evil and learn to do well, then you will be happy indeed; you will be successful in the battles of life, and rise to glory and honor in the better life than this. ‘Choose you this day whom ye will serve.’” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 565

Adam and Eve were given a choice with full warning what would happen as a result of their choice. To make a wrong choice is normally the result of lack of knowledge. Jesus said that it was lack of knowledge that caused the Jews to reject Him. “And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:41–42

Our choice is between blessing and curse. If we choose blessing, we will have a home in heaven and eternal life, but if we make a wrong choice, God cannot bless us. In London, England, a wealthy man called all his servants on his birthday to give each one of them a gift. Each one was offered a choice, a Bible or money. The first one said, “I cannot read very well, I will take the money!” The next one said, “my wife is sick, I need the money more than the Bible.” The third one said, “I have no time to read, I would rather take the money.” Finally the last servant, the errand boy desired the Bible, and when he opened it, between the pages was more money than all the other gifts put together. Also, there are precious truths in these holy pages of the Bible; if we understand this, we will read it every day. The leaders of God’s people had to make a choice between Jesus and Barabbas. Without hesitation they cried out, “give us Barabbas;” but, they paid dearly for their choice. In the year AD 70 the Roman army came and destroyed the city and killed over 1 million Jewish people.

In 1888 the leaders had a choice to accept the message of Christ’s righteousness that Jones and Waggoner presented to them, but they rejected it; and today, the church they belonged to is no longer the church of God.

David made a choice, “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 84:2, 10

David valued one day in the house of God more than 1000 days somewhere else. If we value church meetings like David did, we will never stay away from the church meetings. A. Hartford was a pastor who visited the Connecticut State prison. Among the prisoners he recognized his childhood friend. They went to the same school, and lived in the same neighborhood. Then at the age of 14 each made a different choice. One decided to become a Christian, and the other chose the life of sin, now condemned to prison. Millions of martyrs made a choice to die for Jesus when they could have saved their lives by choosing to deny their faith.

Gaining the whole world or losing all worldly goods as Jesus required the rich young man to do—which is your choice? Cain and Abel made a choice, the difference seemed small, they both served God, they both sacrificed on the altar, but in reality Abel chose God, and eternal life, and blessing, but Cain chose Satan, and a curse.

Noah preached to the people  for 120 years that a flood is coming which will destroy all mankind, but their choice was not to believe it. If they had repented, as did the inhabitants of Nineveh, the disaster would have been averted.

Moses knew that their good future life depended on obedience to the law of God. “And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, wither ye go over Jordan to possess it.” Deuteronomy 32:46–47

This same counsel is given to us; if we decide to obey the law of God we have made a good choice. We will to have fullness of joy and life eternal.

Many people later regret the choices they made in everyday life.  This will be true especially in the end of the world, when they see all the righteous going to heaven with Jesus, and the unrighteous not. All our decisions are influenced by our purpose in life, what we live for.

The Bible presents two classes of people, with different outlooks in life.  Of one of the classes we read: “And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die. And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you til ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.” Isaiah 22:13–14

The purpose of life to this class is to have as much pleasure, entertainment, easy life, comforts, and much joy and gladness. The other class has a completely different outlook on life.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13–14

This class has chosen to put out forth a great effort with the help of Jesus to reach perfection in their lives; they are striving. Jesus said in Luke 13:24, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

After we have chosen Christ as our Saviour and are born again, we are not yet fully grown. Now we begin a lifelong growing process. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

We are to grow into the full stature of Christ. This means to choose for Christ every day in what we do, what we speak, and what we think. Then with the help of Jesus our characters become Christlike. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:14–15

If we make right choices repeatedly they become habits; it is no more a choice, because we do it automatically. This process of growing up is called sanctification; the image of Satan is removed and the image of God is placed in us.

Eve made a wrong choice by eating of the forbidden tree. Still today we suffer from it. What parents choose to do in life gives an example to their children. Abraham’s son chose to live the same kind of life as his father lived. If you want to make right choices in your life, read the Bible; it will tell you the best choices to make, and one day in heaven, you will be glad that you did them. Already in this life you will have fulness of joy. Amen.

Timo Martin