I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live (Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV).
This choice, presented thousands of years ago to a nascent nation about to enter an unknown land, is still ours today.
God has always given us choices. We can choose between that which is of God and that which is of the world (Joshua 24:15-22). We can choose the way of faithfulness (Psalm 119:30) or the way of darkness. We can choose the better, timelier things (Luke 10:42) or be allured by lesser, flashier things (Genesis 13:11).
What we cannot be is neutral. We might choose to be agnostic, but our choice leads us away from truth. We may choose to not think on spiritual things, but our choice leads us to the world.
Neil Peart once wrote, “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.”/1 The fundamental power of choice was given to us by God, yet so many go through life essentially ignoring this great gift.
Even in their indifference, these directionless people still are choosing. They are choosing to walk through life blind. They are choosing death. Indecision is dangerous. Life-long purposeful indecision is deadly.
Choices have consequences. Some choices have small consequences. If you have tea instead of water for lunch today it may not matter much for eternity. Some choices have larger consequences. Choosing to be more like Christ today could echo through eternity. Being Christ-like throughout your life could have generational consequences. You may impact the lives of countless people that you will never meet.
The ultimate choice, as presented to the Israelites, is between life and death. As the New Testament makes clear, the choice is between heaven and hell.
- This choice is personal. We cannot enter the heavenly realm on the goodness of our spouse, parents, children, or friends (2 Corinthians 5:10).
- This choice is pressing. We know not what tomorrow may bring (James 4:13, 14).
- This choice is permanent. Once our lives are completed, there will be no time for edits, no rewrites (Luke 16:19-31). The choice we make will stay with us for all eternity (Matthew 25:46).
Choice is inescapable and powerful. Choose carefully, prayerfully, and faithfully.
1/ “Freewill,” Rush, Permanent Waves, Mercury, 1980