Today's Decisions Determine Who You'll Be Tomorrow

From Gospel Translations

2007 National Conference

The following notes were taken during the message.

Main Point

Whether or not you endure in your Christian life is dependent upon who you become. Will you become God's man or your man, Christ-dependent or self-dependent? It is the little choices of life that determine which one you become.

Life is Done by Little Decisions

Endurance consists of a "long obedience in the same direction." Losing direction is the cumulative result of many poor little decisions.

We have to look at our lives and consider what we are actually doing to become more Christ-centered. Real spirituality is the development of regular spiritual discipline.

2 Timothy 2:3-7. The soldier, the athlete, and the farmer must each be disciplined if they hope to keep and fulfill their jobs. So it is with Christians. The Christian life is hard work, hard God-empowered work (Colossians 1:29). And this hard work is what puts us in the position to bear enduring fruit (Psalm 1).

There Are Practical Implications

Romans 6:12-14. The purpose of self-discipline is so that we might be godly. We have a choice about who we present our bodies to. Romans 12:1-2. Offer your bodies (and minds) to God. We often regret certain ways we spend our time (i.e. watching too much TV), but have you ever finished reading God's word and felt that way?

Reclaim the hours of your day that are being wasted on useless activity. Read God's word and other great books. Have conversations with your family about what you're learning. Redeem the time so that it enriches you and makes you the kind of person you want to be.

Make heaven your motivation (2 Peter 3:13). Clothe yourself with humility to encounter suffering (1 Peter 4:12). Follow those who have finished well (Jim Elliot and his brother Burt). And set your heart on who you want to become. Then pray to God that he would make it so.