Obstacles to Choosing Life
It was good to be home last night. However, I had a rough night we some severe pain in my left leg and hip and then a very sore throat. I’m glad I started feeling better as the morning progressed. I was able to make a trip to Greeley to be on a radio program hosted by long-time friend, John Clarke. This afternoon I needed several hours of rest to continue my recovery. As I reflected on our travels this past week, I realized we put about 1,000 miles on our cars in our detours to navigate the normal 150 miles between Denver and Glenwood Springs.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Be sure there is no root among you bearing poisonous and bitter fruit. When someone hears the words of this oath, he may consider himself exempt, thinking, ‘I will have peace even though I follow my own stubborn heart.’” Deuteronomy 29:18-19 HCSB
As Moses recounts the law to a new generation that will possess the Promised Land, he focuses on that fact that God’s laws are for their good, protection and future security. “Look, today I set before you a blessing and a curse: there will be a blessing, if you obey the commands of the Lord your God I am giving you today…For you are about to cross the Jordan to enter and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you. When you possess it and settle in it, be careful to follow all the statutes and ordinances I set before you today.” (Deu. 11:26-28;31-32 HCSB)
At the end of Deuteronomy we find Moses repeating this warning and challenge. “I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, love the Lord your God, obey Him, and remain faithful to Him. For He is your life…“ (Deut. 30:19,20 HCSB)
The obstacles to choosing this life promised by the Lord are similar to those faced today. One was from the influence of the nations around them, that they were to expel from the land. They were not “copy” or follow the ways of the “culture” of the people of the land. This threat may come from family members, it may be that entire cities would be drawn away to idolatry. If so, the response was to be quick and thorough in riding the nation of the influence. (Deu. 13:6-18)
The priorities of our present culture continually test the devoted follower of Christ. Do the attitudes, actions and priorities of your life reflect what is pleasing to the Lord or that which is acceptable to the culture? Do you seek the approval of the Lord, or others?
The people were also to be on guard for “false prophets.” These were those who predicted future events that did not come true and those who proclaimed a message that contradicted the clear instructions of the Lord. Throughout time those who would follow Christ faithfully, must be aware of those who would distort God’s message and attempt to gain their “own following.”
The desire to “live by my own rules” is another obstacle to choosing life, the best life the Lord has for His people. Even in Moses day, he recognized that there would be those who would question God’s ways. They deceived themselves by saying, “I will have peace even though I follow my own stubborn heart.” The challenge of submitting to Christ’s Lordship over our own is a constant battle. It is often said, “if Christ is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.” There is in the fallen nature of humanity the desire to “go our own way.” We want to be the captain of our own destiny and the ruler of our future. That is a sure recipe for disaster.
The reality is, it can appear on the surface, that approach works out okay for them. On the surface they are “happy, wealthy and wise.” They seem to be enjoying the “good life.” But this life is only a small part of eternity. Paul told Timothy, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:18-19 NIV)
The lesson can be observed and learned throughout time; the “Lord’s ways are best.” When we choose to follow the Lord and submit to Him, it is a life of blessing and freedom. All that people seek and desire, is met through what the Lord has provided through Christ and the life He brings. “Choose life…for He is your life.”