Choose Life

Choose Life!

Deuteronomy 30: 19-20

Today is designated as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, a day set aside on the third Sunday in January to celebrate and stand for the right to life, particularly in the unborn. Babies within the womb are the most vulnerable human beings. They have no ability to defend or speak for them-selves. As believers, we need to be strong advocates for the right to life of all, especially the unborn within their mother’s womb. We have been complacent and silent on this issue far too long, and the thoughtless slaughter of innocent children in the womb is reaching staggering numbers annually. God ordained life, and sees each life as valuable, including the unborn.

Although our text does not specifically address the issue of abortion, it does reveal the precious nature of life, and the responsibility of all who possess this precious gift. Moses was nearing the end of his life. The people of Israel were preparing to enter the Promised Land, and Moses was about to name Joshua as his successor in leading the people. Following a long discourse, reminding the people of their obligations to the Lord, Moses offered these parting words. Through them we find practical application for our lives and the lives of all mankind.

Life itself is a precious gift. The great purpose for life is knowing the Lord and making Him known to others. We should desire that purpose for ourselves, and all others, including those who have yet to be born. Those who never have a chance to live, having their lives prematurely cut short through abortion, will never understand the joy of this purposeful life. Many who live today have yet to realize and embrace this wonderful purpose.

As we examine the abiding principles in Moses’ words, I want to consider: Choose Life!

I. The Choices in Life (19) – I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live. Moses declared to the Israelites that life was filled with choices. He spoke of the variety of choices while encouraging them to choose wisely. Consider:

A. The Observation (19a) – I call heaven and earth to record this day against you…Following a reminder of what God desired of Israel, as a nation chosen unto Himself, Moses declared that heaven and earth were witness to their decisions that day, and throughout the remainder of their lives. Their lives would never been lived in a bubble, apart from the witness of the Lord and their fellow man. The life they lived would be examined by God and scrutinized by others. This surely served to challenge them to walk upright before the Lord, in such a way that would positively influence others.

This truth needs to be understood and embraced in our day as well. We do not live isolated lives. The Lord sees our lives, knowing the desires of our hearts and the lives we live. There is nothing hidden from him. Those around us also witness the lives we live. We either positively impact our circle of influence, being a witness of God’s grace, or we become a negative influence, refusing to abide by and portray the righteousness He demands. Every aspect of our lives is being observed. The Lord sees and knows all. Those around us know much more than we realize. What do people observe as they look at our lives?

B. The Selection (19a) – I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Heaven and earth bore witness of their lives and the choices they made concerning life. The path they chose would have a direct effect on their lives. Before them was life or death, blessings or a curse. Two paths lay ahead, and each individual was faced with a choice – life or death, blessing or a curse. No man could decide for them; each individual was forced to choose his own path.

Each day we live, we are faced with choices that require decisions. Which path will we choose? Do we desire to seek life, a life that honors the Lord and seeks to serve Him, or do we choose a path that ultimately leads to death and destruction? Do we walk in a way that ensures God’s blessing, or have we chosen a path that will lead to chastisement or judgment? Prov.14:12 – There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Matt.7:13-14 – Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.