Choice: The Sinner's
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In the biblical narrative, the concept of choice is pivotal, particularly concerning the decisions made by sinners. The Bible presents human beings as moral agents endowed with the capacity to choose between obedience to God and rebellion against His commandments. This entry explores the nature and consequences of the sinner's choice as depicted in Scripture.

The Origin of Sinful Choice

The origin of sinful choice is traced back to the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve exercised their free will in disobedience to God's command. Genesis 3:6 (BSB) states, "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." This act of defiance introduced sin into the world, illustrating the profound impact of choosing against God's will.

The Nature of Sinful Choice

Throughout Scripture, the sinner's choice is characterized by a preference for self-will over divine will. Proverbs 14:12 (BSB) warns, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." This verse highlights the deceptive nature of sinful choices, which often appear appealing but lead to spiritual and sometimes physical destruction.

Consequences of Sinful Choice

The Bible consistently underscores the consequences of choosing sin. Romans 6:23 (BSB) declares, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This passage contrasts the outcome of sin—death—with the promise of life through Christ, emphasizing the gravity of choosing sin over righteousness.

Examples of Sinful Choices

Numerous biblical figures exemplify the sinner's choice. King Saul, for instance, repeatedly chose disobedience over adherence to God's commands, leading to his downfall. In 1 Samuel 15:23 (BSB), the prophet Samuel tells Saul, "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king."

Similarly, Judas Iscariot's decision to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16, BSB) serves as a poignant example of the devastating consequences of choosing sin.

The Call to Righteous Choice

Despite the prevalence of sinful choices, the Bible extends a call to repentance and righteous decision-making. Deuteronomy 30:19 (BSB) presents a divine appeal: "I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live." This verse encapsulates the heart of God's desire for humanity—to choose life and blessing through obedience to Him.

The Role of Christ in Transforming Choice

The New Testament reveals that through Christ, sinners are empowered to make righteous choices. In John 8:36 (BSB), Jesus proclaims, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." This freedom includes liberation from the bondage of sin, enabling believers to choose righteousness through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of sinful choices, it also offers hope through the redemptive work of Christ. By choosing to follow Him, individuals can experience the abundant life promised in Scripture, overcoming the destructive path of sin.
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Deuteronomy 30:19,20
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live:
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Joshua 24:15,18
And if it seem evil to you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you 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 you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
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1 Kings 18:21
And Elijah came to all the people, and said, How long halt you between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
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Library

The Sinner's Natural Power and Moral Weakness.
... I PROPOSE in my present discourse to discuss the moral state of the sinner. ... This
freedom is in the will itself, and consists in its power of free choice. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xi the sinners natural power.htm

The Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son.
... sin, as stupidity, want of self-consciousness, and the positive choice of evil by ...
The conversion of a sinner is, on the contrary, represented by two different ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/the lost sheep the lost.htm

God's Sovereignty and the Human Will
... Because that is his choice. But does that prove the will is Sovereign? Not at all.
Go back from effect to cause. Why does the sinner choose a life of sinful ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter seven gods sovereignty and.htm

Whether Evil is Properly the Motive of Mercy?
... yet more provocative of pity if they are contrary to deliberate choice, wherefore
the ... having something connected with it that is against the sinner's will, it ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether evil is properly the.htm

Regeneration.
... will prefers the gratification of taste or appetite to higher interests, this choice
or act ... If the sinner is passive, and has no agency in it; if it consists ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxviii regeneration.htm

Evidences of Regeneration.
... This choice is the foundation of, and the reason for, all their activity. ... 4. The
sinner is contrasted with this, in the most important and fundamental respects ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxx evidences of regeneration.htm

Mercy's Master Motive
... Now, if you, poor sinner, had been put into such a fire as that, you would ... in the
furnace of affliction." This verse does not teach that God's choice of any ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/mercys master motive.htm

Index of First Lines.
... voice of praise, 17 Light after darkness, 418 Like Noah's weary dove, 192 Listen,
sinner! ... care not for riches, 247 Lord, I have made thy word my choice, 66 Lord ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/index of first lines.htm

Moral Depravity.
... It is, and must be, a quality of choice or intention, and not of ... believe this doctrine
to urge immediate repentance and submission on the sinner, feeling that ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxiv moral depravity.htm

The Problem of Foreign Missions
... The first deals with a sinner's status in the sight of God, the second with ... man who
designates himself for the mission field makes a general choice, taking the ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the problem of foreign missions.htm

Resources
Monergism vs. synergism-which view is correct? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God allow Satan and the demons to sin? | GotQuestions.org

What does “I set before you life and death” mean in Deuteronomy 30:19? | GotQuestions.org

Choice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Choice: Between Judgments, by David
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