What if you were at a point in your life that you had to exercise your free will of choosing life or death, riches or everlasting life…what would you do?
God tells us in Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NIV) that:
“I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees, and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”.
In today’s society, people are often led astray by their fleshly desires and are deceived to exchange their souls for the things of this world. To some people, it may look easier to choose the tangible things of this life without taking into any considerations the cost. For the things of this world may seem enticing and easy, butit is a path that will lead us all towards a wide-open road to destruction. One thing for sure is that our decisions and the things we accept into our lives can bring honor or shame to the kingdom of God, so it is vitally important to choose wisely.
God gives us the option of having a free will to choose life or death and encourages us to choose life. Life is abundant with him, but we have to make that conscious decision everyday with our thoughts, actions and deeds. Some people actually chooses to do most things right, but still yet choose not to let go of those things that are of hinderance to them just like the rich young ruler in Matthew 19: 16-24. He said that he did everything right, but when Jesus asked him to sell everything he had, he ended up bitter and sorrowful. He didn’t want to give up everything but ended up choosing not to obey God’s command. Jesus explained that because of his choice it would be harder for him as a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. In fact, he said that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19: 23 & 24, KJV).
Oftentimes, we refuse to give what we have, chose to do the things of this world that are pleasing to the flesh and conform to others while losing ourselves in the process. And ultimately, miss out on everlasting life.
Furthermore, the Bible tells us in Mark 8:36-37, that: “what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (KJV). So the next time you are faced with a decision that will cost you your soul, ask yourself the questions:
* Is it worth the price?
* What is the value of my soul?
* How much am I willing to pay for this temporary fix?
* What is the price you are willing to pay for your soul?
* Is your lack of character, backbiting, judgmental, and envious ways worth the cost of losing your soul?
We all have our own walk, salvation, and crossing to carry with the Lord. Seek the Lord for yourself to find any sinful ways that are within that you have chosen over your salvation. In closing, I urge you to choose life!!
Excellent