Dear Children of God,
Choose wisely. Remember the old gameshow Let’s Make a Deal? Contestants were given a choice to make. Monte Hall would show them a nice prize – a $100 or a nice TV. But there was a choice to make. Take the nice prize in front of you or … take what’s behind the curtain. The hidden item might be a new car! Or … just a Matchbox car. It’s your choice. Choose wisely.
God is not a gameshow host! But He still lets us know the choice we need to make in life – the most important choice of all – infinitely more important than choosing between a $100 and a possible new car. The choice before us, “I have set before you today life and good, death and evil …” (Deuteronomy 30:15) Then God, unlike Monte Hall, gives us a clue to help us choose wisely, “Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
God clearly lays out how to choose life over death, “If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God … then you shall live and multiply.” (Deuteronomy 30:16) That’s the choice sitting right in front of us – life through obedience to God and His word. If, however, we decide to go for what’s behind the curtain – turning away from God, rejecting His gift of life found in His word, putting others ahead of Him – one thing awaits, death … eternity separated from Him.
Unfortunately, when it comes to choosing, we, like Israel, often choose what’s behind the curtain. We disobey God one way or another, choosing death. But the good news for us, unlike a TV gameshow host, God gives us another chance to choose life. Through Jesus Christ and His death, God enables all who believe and trust in Him to receive forgiveness for our bad choices. Through His mercy, He also gives us eternal life on account of Jesus’ resurrection. Choose life … let the Holy Spirit lead you to place your faith in God’s promises and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Jim