MEMORY VERSE: ‘For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?’ Matthew 16:26.
LESSON AIM: To discover that we all have a crucial choice to make.
‘Christ now says to you: Which will you have, Me or the world? Your decision is to be made here. Will you follow the promptings of an unsanctified heart, turn away from self-denial for Christ’s sake, and step over the cross without lifting it? Or will you lift that cross, heavy though it may be, and make some sacrifice for the truth’s sake? May God help you to see where you are, that you may place a true estimate upon eternal things.’ Testimonies, volume 3, page 41.
1. What choice do we all have to make? Deuteronomy 30:15.
NOTE: ‘There is this difference between man and beasts, that man has been given the freedom of choosing for himself what he will be. The beast has no such choice. It is this freedom of will that gives to man the possibility of being a companion of God. The Creator has for ever set man’s will free, and He Himself will not force it. Now it is a sad fact that men have chosen evil instead of good. They have chosen their own way instead of the way of God; and consequently they have fallen as far below God’s design for them as the earth is lower than the heavens. Isaiah 55:9. Still they have the power to choose whom they will serve. Joshua 24:15. The Lord says, “See, I have set before thee this day, life and good, death and evil.” “Therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Deuteronomy 30:15, 19. “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:7.’ E. J. Waggoner: Present Truth, August 2, 1894.
2. How is this choice often presented to us by the devil? Hebrews 11:25.
NOTE: ‘The prevalence of a sinful desire shows the delusion of the soul. Every indulgence of that desire strengthens the soul’s aversion to God. The pains of duty and the pleasures of sin are the cords with which Satan binds men in his snares. Those who would rather die than perform a wrong act are the only ones who will be found faithful.’ Testimonies, volume 5, page 53.