Making the most important decision

By Scott Higgins

The Times, Nov 5, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

ADVERTISEMENTS

Scott Higgins is the evangelist with the Tualatin Valley Church. The church is meeting in the Tualatin Valley Heritage Center, located at 8700 S.W. Sweek Drive. They meet Sundays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 503-536-5807 or visit www.tualatinvalleychurch.com.

Election Day is fast approaching. Signs are everywhere trying to influence your vote. Elections are very important; they can change the course of your life forever.

Early in the history of America, the Continental Congress was meeting and at that time there was a very strong anti-England feeling among many of the leaders. Legislation was introduced that would decide what would be the official language of the United States. By a vote of 26 to 25, English was chosen. If that decision had gone differently, we would likely all be speaking German today!

Decisions matter. Believing and knowing the word of God is crucial to making solid decisions in this life.

Deciding Who Will Be Your Friend - Friends can be a great blessing in life, and deciding wisely takes knowing what God has said. Proverbs 18:24 tells us, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” We are told that quality friendships are best; trying to be the most popular will not give you the kind of friends one needs in life.

Proverbs 27:6 says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” A real friend will tell you the hard things. They will be honest with you when others will lie to your face. Those are the kinds of friends that you want to surround yourselves with! Friends will be a great influence in your lives, so picking quality ones is crucial.

Deciding To Become a Christian - While many decisions in life are important, none is as important as deciding to follow Jesus all the days of your life. It radically will change the course of your life. It will begin a transformation of your life and ultimately lead to eternal life with God.

Becoming a Christian will bring great freedom to your life. Romans 6:18 says, “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”

The decision to become a Christian will also bring great joy to your life. In Acts 16 when the jailer is converted and baptized into Christ, it says in verse 34, “he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God-he and his whole family.” Truly a life-changing decision was reached that day.

Election Day is important in this country. I hope you will thoughtfully and carefully weigh your decision before you vote. But more than that, I pray that you will honor God with every decision in your life, from picking friends to choosing to wear the name of Christ.

That decision, deciding to become a Christian, could have eternal implications!