Choosing Life

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them." Deut 30:19-20

     The importance of the statement contained in this verse can not be more thoroughly emphasized than it is by the profound declaration that "I call heaven and earth to witness". Like Jesus' "truly truly I say to you", we can recognize that although "all scripture is given by inspiration of God", nevertheless, there is clearly greater emphasis places on certain parts of the scriptures than other. This is one of those places of great emphasis.

     The reason for this emphasis is quickly obvious, that reason being life. Jesus said "I have come that you might have life"(Jn.10:10). Describing His coming, John testifies that "In Him was life"(Jn.1:4). Jesus said "my words are spirit and they are life" (Jn.6:63). It is clear that the emphasis of all that Jesus both came to say and do is life.   

     All of those who walk about this earth experience life. Whether you think about it each day or not, you are experiencing the benefits of this natural life. In many ways, we all take the blessings of our natural lives for granted. However, when Jesus spoke of life, He was not speaking of simply the fact of living and existing as a human being, He was speaking of the sublime reality of Eternal Life.

     Writing to the Corinthians, Paul declares "no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, the thing God has prepared for him"(1 Co. 2:9). What he is saying is that the Eternal Life of which God has designed for those who love Him is not something that this present natural existence can in any way testify to. He is speaking of a life that is only understood by those who pursue it through faith in Jesus Christ.

    It is to this glorious reality of Eternal Life that our text in Deuteronomy is referring. Witnessed to by the testimony of "heaven and earth", there is an Eternal Life the Father has designed for those who truly love Him. It is not a life stumbled upon by being a part of the natural creation. It is not an eternal life achieved by simply attending church or claiming an association with any religious group. It is an eternal life purchased for us by the blood of Jesus, but ratified in our hearts by our own decision to as the verse in Deuteronomy says "choose life".

    Standing by on the sidelines, even when those sidelines may define church or our religious rituals, does not assure us that we will be partakers of the Eternal Life that the Lord has so abundantly offered. We must take the proactive stance of choosing, each day, whom we will serve. It is choosing to seek the Lord in prayer and His Word each day. It is choosing to do as Jesus did and prioritize the well being of others above ourselves. It is in choosing to be a faithful part of the church He came to establish. It is in choosing to obey his Word, even when no one is looking. Eternal life, although purchased by the precious blood of Jesus, is realized when men and women faithfully make choices, each day, to serve Him.

    Our text in Deuteronomy says that He has "set before us good and evil, life and death". We must make that decision each day as opportunities arise. Elijah told the children of Israel "choose this day whom you will serve" (1 Kings.18:21). We have in this life the opportunity to "choose life", meaning eternal life. Are you making those choices each day? As Paul writes "search your heart to see if you are of the faith"(2 Co.13:5).

    Since we are part of a fallen creation, if we defer that decision in any way, neglecting its urgency or diminishing its significance, that decision will be made for us by the God of this world (2 Co.4:4). We must make the choice today, tomorrow, and thereafter, continually, proactively, to serve the Lord in all our activities and attitudes. In doing so, we will inherit His great and precious promise of Eternal Life.