Choose Life Part 3
Text: Deuteronomy 30:19,
19 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: Deuteronomy 30:19
Today we are concluding the series on Choose life. If you choose life as God said, then you have a life to live. The most important vital sign of life is about the whole life itself: the thought, the word, and the action which conforms to the way, the truth, and the eternal life of God in Christ Jesus. God said “it is your [very] life” Deut. 32:47 to live according to my will or purpose for your life. Similarly, Jesus said “… My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” John 4:34 The choice of God often seems challenging and burdensome to people, but it is made possible and credible through Christ.
How do you choose and live this life? (or How do you respond to God saying “Choose life”): Obedience is the comprehensive answer. Remember that we were born spiritually dead because the first man-Adam disobeyed God. Genesis 2:17 ”…through one man-Adam sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— “Romans 5:12 Obedience to God is the fine line between spiritual life and eternal death. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19 Now we can regain the lost glory only through the obedience of Christ. It is the obedience of Christ, not your own obedience. Your obedience to any kind of dogma or interpretation will not gain the righteousness of God and His eternal life. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8 We must therefore remove “Self” from the equation. For example, what you are, what you want to be or what you call yourself, such as “I am a Christian” cannot replace the “Obedience of Christ”. Because spiritual life is the gift of love from God by faith in Christ Jesus. Therefore, when you accept or choose this life, you become the custodian of the “obedience of Christ” and the righteousness which follows. Your “obedience in Christ” is now the evidence spiritual life.
The following words of Jesus Christ gives insight into the measure of spiritual vitality.
- But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. John 14:31, 15:8 Love is the key which unlocks obedience to God and to one another. “… God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 Jesus knows that His Father loved him, and his obedience is an expression of love for the Father. Obedience no longer becomes a burden when the reason is love.
- Jesus said, “… I know him, and keep his saying. John 8:55 When you accept the gift of God by faith, you must get to know Him and have relationship with Him through Christ and his living word. Knowing the Lord empowers you to understand and obey His word – it should feel natural to do so. If you read and study the word of God with the spirit of obedience, you will know and keep His word of life with great delight. 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Psalms 40:8
- Jesus saith unto them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4:34 In other word, it your life and pleasure to do the will of God. It is a sign of spiritual living when you derive pleasure in doing the will of God. On the other hand, the sign of spiritual death or decay is when you question the will of God instead of obeying it. For example, do you feel attacked or judged when the bible says: ” 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envying, murders, drunkenness, retellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God or everlasting life. Galatians 5:17-21”
In conclusion, the obedience of Christ makes it possible to live this life by faith with the power of the Holy spirit. Faith gives us a complete package of spiritual possibilities. “38 Jesus said, “… He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water (this is the Holy Spirit).” John 7:38” The gift of God delivers to us spiritual life and the power to live it. All made possible through the obedience of Jesus Christ. The wise thing to do therefore, is to choose this life, the abundant life as Jesus said. This is the life which does not conform to this world, but your thought, word, and actions are transformed through the obedience of Christ to prove what is good, acceptable, and perfect will of God you. Rom 12:136 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36 Therefore, choose life right now if you have not done so. Accept Jesus as your Lord and savior and you will have gift and the grace of God, to live now and inherit eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Stay tuned for more prayers for our world. God bless you.