I used to think of free will as a sort of choose-your-own adventure kind of thing. Remember those books? I always had the sense that maybe the stories would be stronger if the real author were to just choose the best ending for the protagonist, because surely they knew the best outcome and most “adventurous” route to get there.
When I applied that logic to my own life and relationship with God, a game of chess came to mind. If God knows all, including how this whole story ends, and will accomplish His ultimate will in the end, then do my choices really matter? Do I matter? (Incidentally, I don’t recommend pondering these things with the dawn, before that first wave of caffeine hits.)
Applying this flat, and admittedly, flawed logic to Scripture only weakens my relationship with God because there’s no relational aspect to it—and our God is very relational. That’s true today, and it was true when Moses and the Levitical priests were imploring with Israel to obey God and keep His commands. They laid out the blessing of choosing God and the utter destruction of choosing anything apart from Him (Deuteronomy 27–28).
Even in giving the provision of His law, He offered further provision: a way back to Him, should they choose wrongly and suffer the consequential curses of their choices. And should they “come to [their] senses” (Deuteronomy 30:1), returning to God and obeying Him “with all [their] heart and all [their] soul by doing everything” commanded of them, then He will “restore [their] fortunes” and His compassion will find them, no matter how far away they have strayed (vv.2–4).
Which begs the question: If one path resulted in complete blessing and the other utter destruction, what was the point of giving Israel the choice in the first place? Wouldn’t things be better if God just made them do what was right to avoid the curse altogether? In short: no, because that option is not consistent with who God is and who we are as His image bearers (Genesis 1:27). He is relational, and we are created to live in relationship with Him. We get to choose because things like real faith, love, devotion, and obedience cannot be forced; they must be freely given. He chooses us, and He wants us to choose Him back, to love Him in return.
So it was with Israel. The command to follow God’s law wasn’t “too difficult or beyond [their] reach” (Deuteronomy 30:11). They could choose life, not death, for themselves and future generations (vv.19–20). He later promises to give them, and us, a new heart that beats for Him, and His Spirit to help us choose Him over and over again (Ezekiel 36:26–27). He’s the path to righteousness and life (Romans 10:10). When we choose our loving God, that’s when the real adventure begins.
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49 thoughts on "Choose Life"
Father God thank you for choosing me. Jesus thank you my Savior for making a way for me to have a relationship with my God and Father. Amen
Thanks Charlie for sharing that contrast! I really enjoyed in today’s reading verses 11-14… It’s so clear that God WANTS to be found and makes himself available to that end
Love the baby learning to walk image Kelly. :) I’ll carry that with me today, as I step forward, as I wobble…and as my Father stabilizes, and guides me…also for my students as I get to be the hands of Jesus is their day as they are learning.
As I read the scriptures today my heart was full.
“When all these things happen to you-the blessings and curses…and you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and all your soul by doing everything I am commanding you today, then he will…restore…have compassion…and gather you.” “The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants and you will love him with all your heart and all your soul so that you will live.” Later on, “This command that I give you today is certainly not too difficult or beyond your reach. It is not in Heaven, not across the sea,…the message is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may follow it…Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, love the Lord your God, obey him, and remain faithful to him…”
Then we go to Ezekiel where God’s promises, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you…you will be my people and I will be your God.”
Finally the Romans verses, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.”
The message of salvation. The promises of God. A choice for Life. A circumcised heart. A love, hope, faith, confidence that pours out of our mouths, hands, and life as His messengers in this present wilderness. Because one day, yes, one day soon, He will gather us together, we will go Home to our promised land. Today his Holy Spirit lives in us, we are not alone, but one day we will gather together, a multitude (sisters together – able to give each other real hugs) we will worship Him face to face. What a day that will be! And yet today, Jesus, guide my wobbly steps as I learn to walk this path you have for me. I love you Lord. Amen and Selah.
The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love him with all your heart and all your soul so that you will live. This is my prayer today. *really walking through a hard time in life. Trying to lean on God and to trust Him
I’m teaching ancient literature right now and we are, in fact, discussing free will vs. fate today in class. The gods, while relational, are fickle and manipulative in Greek literature. They are sulky, possessive, and vengeful. How different is the one true God, and what a relief the concept of a loving, steady God must have been to the ancients. While we should fear Him, we should not be afraid of him. We can trust him, trust that his way is the best way. Our God is faithful, loving, and kind, and he truly wants the best for us. What a difference, and what joy we have!
I’m teaching ancient literature right now and we are, in fact, discuss free will vs. fate today in class. The gods, while relational, are fickle and manipulative in Greek literature. They are sulky, possessive, and vengeful. How different is the one true God, and what a relief the concept of a loving, steady God must have been to the ancients. While we should fear Him, we should not be afraid of him. We can trust him, trust that his way is the best way. Our God is faithful, loving, and kind, and he truly wants the best for us. What a difference, and what joy we have!
What a wonderful realization, God loving us so much that He is constantly perusing us. We doubt ourselves, we don’t feel lovable, but in God’s eyes and mind, as our proud creator He does and yes each and everyone of us is. Oh thank you God what a great day it will be.
Fantastic reflection, Kara!
The image of a father helping a baby learning to walk came to mind. He is cheering the child to move toward him while the wobbly little one starts. Something catches the child’s eye and she looses her balance and tumbles to the ground. The father is right there to pick her up and she trys again.
Lord, help me to always walk toward You, choosing life and the adventure You have planned for me.
What Moses said here also reminds me of what Jesus said “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:29-30