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Life or Death
Life and Death
Reading: Deuteronomy 30:11-20.
As Moses nears the end of his life he speaks to the children of Israel yet again saying: “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil" (Deuteronomy 30:15). He again says: " 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…" (Deuteronomy 30:19). God desires the good of His people. God desires that ALL would be saved (2Pet. 3:9). Yet, God has created us with the ability to rebel. We will indeed be brought to judgment for such a choice but we do have that choice.
Along with God's plea that His people would choose life over death, He instructs them on how such a choice would be made. He has given them His word which they can know (vs. 11-14). He has given them His word so they can DO IT (vs. 14). They are to obey the commandments of the LORD (16). Such obedience is done by "walking in His ways, and by keeping His commandments and His statutes and rules" (vs. 16). Twice God says that such obedience comes from a heart that loves God (vs. 16, 20).
Paul speaks in a similar fashion when he writes: "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life" (Galatians 6:7-8). Such is the life of faith. It is a faith that works by love (Gal. 5:6). It is a life that walks with God in humble submission to God's word.
God desires you to live and not die. He wants you to live eternally in His presence. He has loved us and given His son to saves us from our sin. He asks that we love him in return. He has set before us life and death. He desires us to choose life. What will you choose?
