"To be or not to be, that is the question?" A famous quote from a Shakespearean play that poses this thought provoking question. It all comes down to, who am I—really? What am I? Where did I come from and/or where am I going? If God made me, am I willing to be the person he designed and planned for me? Am I willing to listen and follow no matter what that may cost me, or will I be content to just take the easy way that pleases me the most? A way with little or no cost to my flesh, my conscience or my concern for others? Every choice we make reflects a portion of who we are and they often have conflicting thoughts.
Jesus spoke of two different ways. The wide road that many take, that leads to death and destruction. The others is a narrow gate, that few have taken which leads to the Heavenly Father, and His eternal life. It also leads to a cross and the death of our self-life. Thus, the main reason why it is often avoided or eventually abandon if taken. But, what a glorious experience and reward for the few that have persevered its narrow path and come to meet Him face to face.
Jesus also told a parable about two men, each one building a house. One man chose to build his house on a solid rock, but it was more difficult. The other man chose to build on sand, a much easier way. But, when the storms of life came, only one house was left standing; the house on the rock. The other man suffered and had a great loss. (Mt. 7 :24-27) How about you? What are you going to build your life on?
Over the years we have seen on the news where thousands of homes, business and building are destroyed by natural disasters. As awful as that may have been for those people, there is a far greater loss for those who died, not knowing Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "What does a man profit if he gains the whole and losses his own soul." (Mark 8:36) Also,"There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end is death." (Prov. 14:12) Jesus Christ is "The Way" and He is "The Rock" upon which everyone should and must build upon. We need to learn to trust Him as if our very life depended upon it, which it does.
In the Old Testament, God posed this most important question to the children of Israel, "Chose you this day whom you will serve." (Joshua 24:15). It is also a choice and a decision everyone has to make. In fact, it is a daily choice. Whether we choose to obey and follow Jesus or follow our fleshly desires and the way of this world. Are we going to choose to love the Lord (today, tomorrow and the next) with all your heart, mind, soul and strength? Or are we going love ourselves more, making our pride, desires and pleasures a #1 priority? Why is there such a conflict? The real reason stems from apposing spiritual forces.
Over the years we have seen on the news where thousands of homes, business and building are destroyed by natural disasters. As awful as that may have been for those people, there is a far greater loss for those who died, not knowing Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "What does a man profit if he gains the whole and losses his own soul." (Mark 8:36) Also,"There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end is death." (Prov. 14:12) Jesus Christ is "The Way" and He is "The Rock" upon which everyone should and must build upon. We need to learn to trust Him as if our very life depended upon it, which it does.
In the Old Testament, God posed this most important question to the children of Israel, "Chose you this day whom you will serve." (Joshua 24:15). It is also a choice and a decision everyone has to make. In fact, it is a daily choice. Whether we choose to obey and follow Jesus or follow our fleshly desires and the way of this world. Are we going to choose to love the Lord (today, tomorrow and the next) with all your heart, mind, soul and strength? Or are we going love ourselves more, making our pride, desires and pleasures a #1 priority? Why is there such a conflict? The real reason stems from apposing spiritual forces.
The conflict of choice is between our flesh and our spirit. Yet, if our desire is to please and follow God, we must learn to listen to God's voice and not the voice of our flesh or the enemy, satan, who would try to influence our fleshly thoughts. He also seek to separate from the love of the Heavenly Father, by our doubts and fears and thus making us miserable along the way. Satan's goal is to destroy our life and the lives of others. The conflict is a matter of life and death.
Sure the way of the cross is difficult and costly, but the other way is far more costly is the long run. Listening to other voices than God's is vain and foolish. Nothing the world has or that our flesh could desires can compare to the love of the Heavenly Father and his embrace.
Joshua didn't hesitate to answer God's voice and question and neither should we. He said, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord," (Joshua 24:15). And so I have chosen, along with all the other sons and daughters of God. Once you've met the living Jesus, the conflict of choice shouldn't seem so hard or difficult, because he's always there to help and comfort. And the Father's love keeps getting better and better everyday and in every way.
"Chose you this day whom you will serve."
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