Introduction

Christianity is all about making a choice. It's a decision between following God's way or our own way, between pleasing Him or pleasing others who disagree with Him. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of making a choice.

Illustration

Let me share a lighthearted story to illustrate this point. There was a man named Elias who lived in the mountains. One day, he came down dressed up and carrying his Bible. His friend asked him where he was going all dressed up like that. Elias replied, "I've heard about New Orleans, where there's free-flowing liquor, gambling, and naughty shows. If it's as good as they say, I might stay until Sunday." While this is just a joke, it highlights the idea of living differently outside of church than within it. Some people have bought into the notion of being religious but not too religious, only on certain occasions.

Main Point

Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, addresses the importance of making a choice. He declares that he is not seeking the approval of man but of God. If he were still trying to please people, he would not be a servant of Christ. This means that Paul made a deliberate choice to follow Jesus and not be swayed by the opinions of others.

John also emphasizes the need to make a choice in his letter. He warns against loving the world and its ways, stating that if we love the world, the love of the Father is not in us.

Paul's message to the Galatians revolves around a theological conflict within their church. Some Jewish believers were insisting that Gentile believers needed to be circumcised to be true Christians. However, Paul firmly states that circumcision is no longer necessary for salvation. He reminds them that through baptism into Christ, they have put on Christ, and in Him, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile.

Paul urges the Galatians to make a choice. They can choose God's way of salvation or listen to the teachings of others. However, he emphasizes that God's way is the only true path to salvation.

Paul warns against false teachers who preach a different gospel. He states that even if an angel from heaven were to preach a contrary gospel, they should be accursed. This shows the seriousness of perverting the message of Christ and distorting the power of His sacrifice on the cross.

Application

Many people believe that they can earn salvation by following a set of rules or by being generally good. However, the Bible clearly states that no one is righteous on their own. Our salvation is not based on our own self-righteousness or good deeds.

We must believe in Jesus as God in the flesh, who came to die for our sins. We need to accept that we have sinned and repent, desiring to change our ways. Confessing Jesus as Lord and surrendering our lives to Him is crucial. Finally, baptism symbolizes our burial with Christ and our resurrection to a new life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, making a choice for Jesus is essential in our Christian journey. We must choose to follow Him and His teachings, rejecting any false doctrines or teachings that contradict the Bible. Salvation is not earned through our own efforts but is a gift of God's grace. Let us make the choice to believe, repent, confess, and be baptized, allowing Jesus to transform our lives. Remember, it is Jesus who brings about the change within us when we make the choice to follow Him. Are you ready to make that choice?

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