God wants us to live a fulfilling, successful and profitable life. So He tells us if we had only listened to Him and followed His leading in making decisions, we would have had peace flowing like a river. He is the God that teaches and directs. He teaches us how to profit and leads us in the way we should go.
Joel 3:14. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
Beloved, do you know that your loving Father in heaven,
has an insatiable passion for all Humanity of all ages and that includes you, to be saintly? He is referred to by the inhabitants of heaven as the King of saints.
Revelation 15:3. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
No marvel, wherever, every human beings are located and that includes you too, He wants them to be saintly.
Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:2. Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.
The simple reason why God wants human beings of all ages to be saintly, is to enable them to
be taken saintly decisions, just like Him. Every being and that includes your gracious Father in heaven, your loving Saviour and Redeemer and human beings, of all ages, takes decisions at all times. See some decisions God took in the time past.
1. To restore dignity to humanity after the loss of His image, through crucifixion of Christ.
Genesis 3:15. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
2. To have others sons, apart from Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son.
Matthew 3:17. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Hebrews 2:9-10. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
BUT THEN, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW AND NEVER FORGET, THAT MOST DECISIONS TAKEN BY EVERY HUMANITY OF ALL AGES, HAVE FAR REACHING CONSEQUENCES.
Beloved, always remember, that, the decisions you have taken in the time past or the ones you are about to take have consequences that extends beyond you and generations unborn and even, your eternal wellbeing. These two important messages were given to Joel by God to inform the Jews in His days. and every humanity of all ages. You are not in anyway exempted from this. See the messages.
Joel 3:14. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
It means decisions you have taken in the time past, and the ones you are taken now and at any other time, have recompense on the day of righteous judgement of God.
Romans 2:5. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
See saints and non saints in the Bible days that have taken consequential decisions.
1. Abraham :
Genesis 12:1-5. Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
2. Joseph:
Genesis 39:7-12. And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
3. Joshua :
Joshua 24:14-15. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
4. Daniel:
Daniel 1:8. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
The decisions of all these saints earned them greatness here and eternity with God at the end of their lives.
However, some others made costly decisions that made them loose blessings and Honour here and hereafter .
Adam and Eve:
Genesis 3:1-7. Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
It was true that Adam and Eve were restored, but then, they lost Eden, the paradise of God on earth. Please be guided by your decisions, they could cost you more than you think. The good Lord shall help you in Jesus name.
Genesis 3:23-24. Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Lucifer:
Isaiah 14:12-15. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
Lucifer lost all with His cohorts, that rebelled against God. He lost his beauty, his prestigious position in heaven and shall ultimately be damned at hell.
Matthew 25:41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Avoid taken decisions that shall make you spend eternity in hell with satan. This shall not be your portion in Jesus name.
Dearly beloved, glory to God, our gracious and eternal Father in heaven, for given, believers of all ages, Jesus, not only to be our Saviour and Redeemer, but epitome of exemplary lifestyle for us to follow, especially you.
1 Peter 2:21. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Our Lord, during His earthly ministry as a free moral agent, just like every other human beings, took enviable, saintly decisions . See some of them, even though they are inexhaustible .
John 6:38. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
John 8:29. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
John 9:4. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Luke 22:41-42. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Philippians 2:5-11. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
No wonder, humanity in Bible days seeing these noble and exemplary lifestyle of our Lord, followed His lifestyle. May the good Lord, help you too, to do same in Jesus name. See some of them.
1. Mary:
Luke 10:38-42. Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
2. Prodigal son:
Luke 15:17-24. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
3. The malefactor crucified with Jesus:
Luke 23:39-43. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
4..Peter and other disciples :
John 6:66-70. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
5. Mark 10:23-30. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
6. Paul
Acts 9:1-6. And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7. Moses:
Hebrews 11:24-27.
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Regrettably , there were some that took wrong decisions and ended up in hell. This shall not be your portion in Jesus name. So determinedly henceforth, follow the lifestyle of Jesus.
Judas:
Matthew 26:14-16. Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
JESUS’S EXEMPLARY LIFESTYLE OF TAKEN SAINTLY DECISIONS IN ALL SITUATIONS, DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY. FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE.
Friend, the major things that determines your lot at the time of the dawning rapture are your decisions, now. Those that shall miss this event shall have nobody to blame apart from themselves . Their decisions determines their destiny. Always remember this, your decisions determines your destiny. See what the decisions of the Worldling and nominal churchgoers look like.
1. Their adamant and impudent refusal to retain God in their knowledge .
Romans 1:28-32. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
2. Their wilful choice not to receive the truth of God’s word.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
3. Their sensual choice of who their Pastors shall be and the congregation they choose to attend.
Jeremiah 5:31. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
2 Timothy 4:1-4. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Interestingly, believers like you have your choices too, as a free moral agent.
1. Your decision to always live with eternity in view :
Colossians 3:1-4. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
2. Your resolve to be obedient to God’s unchanging, infallible and eternal words of truth.
Revelation 3:10-11. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Exodus 24:7. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient.
3. Your saintly choice to follow Christ to the end, through thick and thin.:
Revelation 2:9-10. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Luke 9:62. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.