Deuteronomy 30:19-20

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live…” vs. 19

Those who have drunk deeply from the gospel of grace sometimes don’t quite know what to do with the emphasis on choice that is found in Deuteronomy. We imagine that since salvation is in Christ and not dependent on our works it really doesn’t make much difference what we do. But our hearts tell us otherwise! Almost instinctively we know that our behaviors make a huge difference to the quality of our lives in this world. And we do have huge choices to make, both as individuals and as nations. And the consequences of our decisions are enormous–one road will lead to blessings, the other to curses, both for ourselves and for others. At its essence our choice is between God and self. Will we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, or will we pursue self-glorification and self-indulgence? To love God is to lose ourselves in the pursuit of justice and mercy, in caring for the poor and the hurting, in loving our neighbor as ourselves. Such a decision lived out over the course of a lifetime will bring blessings and full life, and that’s what many have chosen to do! We see the results of their labors all around, and all are blessed. And as we choose to join them in loving and serving, the blessings are multiplied and the kingdom of God flourishes!

Thought for the Day: When have I made consequential choices?