Speaking the Truth in Love
Man's Power of Choice
Introduction
A. Instead of creating man as a robot or a clone, God created Him with free will. Man has the freedom to choose between right and wrong.
B. Man has been given the ability to consider the facts and possible consequences of his actions and then freely choose to take a course of action.
C. Examples of such choices include buying a house, buying a car, choosing a career, or choosing a mate.
D. The most important choices we can make are in the spiritual realm for the consequences of these choices have an eternal impact on our lives: whether we will be united or separated from God our Creator (Matthew 25:46).
E. There is no stronger statement emphasizing the role of free choice than the farewell address of Joshua to the nation of Israel (Joshua 24:1-15, especially verses 14 and 15).
I. Man Can Choose To Sin
A. 1 John 3:4 gives us a clear idea of what sin is, a choice to break God’s law.
B. The first sin (Genesis 2:16-17, 3:6, 11).
C. Man does not sin against his own will but yields his will to his own desires (Romans 6:8-16, James 1:14-15, 1 John 5:18-21).
II. Man Can Choose To Be Saved
A. Moses speaks to Israel (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
B. Elijah speaks to his generation (1 Kings 18:21).
C. The apostles urge people to make a choice to be saved (Acts 2:36-38, 40).
III. Man Can Choose To Be Lost After Once Being Saved
A. 2 Peter 2:20-22, 3:17-18
B. Hebrew 6:4-6
C. Example of Demas (Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:10).
D. No one can be saved against their will. All must decide in order to be saved.
IV. Man Can Choose To Be Restored Back To God
A. James 5:19-20, Galatians 6:1, Jude 20-23
B. Example of Simon (Acts 8:13, 18-24).
Conclusion
A. God has graciously provided salvation to man through the sacrifice of His Son.
B. He has also given man the ability to choose to be saved eternally or to be destroyed eternally (Acts 13:46, 2 Peter 3:9).
C. Just as in the days of Joshua, the only thing that limits our choice is time (Isaiah 55:6-7, Jeremiah 8:20, James 4:13-15).
D. Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve.
E. Three Errors that tonight’s program has dealt with
1. Regarding sin, we were born in sin and had no choice.
2. In regard to salvation, God arbitrarily saves those He wishes to save even against their will. You don’t have to do anything to be saved.
3. Regarding falling from salvation, you cannot choose to be lost after being saved no matter how badly you live.
I. If you are going to serve God, it will be your choice! No one can do it for you. Why not decide to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23)? That is the only way that leads to eternal life (1 John 5:11-12). We hope to see you next time on “Speaking the Truth in Love”.
