SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1313

“Two Choices”

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, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days… – Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Life in this world is indeed all about choices. Some prefer a myriad of choices, and they adventurously gravitate to choose the wild and crazy unknown and let the consequences fall where they may. Others prefer simpler choices, and when faced with multiple options use value weighting decision -making tools to narrow them down.

Wherever you may fit on the scale from adventuresome to simplified, most life choices have only temporary consequences. Two choices, however, will decide your eternal destiny.

Wavering Between Two Opinions – To use a common idiom: We must choose to ‘fish or cut bait’. Will we choose to deny God or serve Him as Lord? There is no middle ground, and this choice has eternal consequences.

For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. – Romans 1:19-21

Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” … And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. – 1 Kings 18:21; Joshua 24:15

Accept Jesus as Savior – There are many religious people who believe in God but deny Jesus’ Deity, and that salvation is only through Him. This choice to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior has eternal consequences.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me; You believe in God; believe also in me… I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – Revelation 3:20; John 14:1,6

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God; For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – John 1:12; Romans 6:23

Fear or Trust – Life in this world is not easy. Jesus told us it would be difficult. He also told us that He will be there with us every step and every choice along the way. Our choice to continually look to Him and abide in His presence gives us a ‘peace that surpasses understanding’.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

In God I trust; I shall not be afraid… – Psalm 56:11

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

Obey or Disobey – Temptations will come – that is a given. We must choose to avoid the contexts and situations that we know make us vulnerable to sin. We must choose to flee from sin and take the ‘way of escape’ that God faithfully provides.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

If you love me, you will keep my commandments; So, flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. – John 14:15; 2 Timothy 2:22

Choose to be Salt and Light – Our day-to-day life choices as Christians should be a preservative (salt) and a proclamation of the Gospel Truth of Jesus (Light). We make choices that are either worldly or spiritually driven. For example: this is an election year, and our voting choices are indicative of our value system base.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit; Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good. – Romans 8:5; Job 34:4

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:13-16

May you choose life – eternal life through Jesus and may your daily life choices be salt and light, guided by the Holy Spirit to bring glory to God, drawing others to Him.