Choosing The Best Life

CHOOSING THE BEST LIFE

INTRODUCTION::

Moses tells the people in Deuteronomy 30:19 to choose life. The choice is still ours

today. However, what is the best one to choose? The best choice is a life with God.

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I THE BEST LIFE OFFERS A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:

Today there are other choices of life we can make. There is the secular life which means

to live a life completely separated from the church or any other religious organization

and to raise your children in non-religious situations. In fact, the secular life is growing

as more people separate themselves from any religious organization or worship. Then

there is a worldly life which is devoted to the material things of this world. Material

things like money, houses, possessions of all kinds have the immediate attention of

these people. Then there is a spiritual life which devotes itself to love of self and others.

They pay loving attention to all living creatures and the planet in general. They

specialize in doing good to others. They are kind, loving, and gentle. Many of them are

more loving and kind than many people in the church, yet without any religious

commitment. All of these lives and others such as atheists and agnostics lack any

relationship with God through Jesus Christ. However, the best life to live is one

dedicated to serving Jesus Christ. Anything we put before God is idolatry as Moses

warned the people in Deuteronomy 30: 17. God told the people that they were to serve

him with all their hearts and souls. (Deuteronomy 11:13) Jesus said that you cannot

serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24) The beauty of a relationship with Jesus Christ is

illustrated in the beautiful hymn Jesus loves me this I know. Some say these words

were spoken by the bed of a dying child. They were eventually put to music. Karl Barth

said that they were the essence of his Christian faith. During the height of the Christian

persecution in China, some Chinese Christians sent a message saying, "this I know

people are well." This code message indicated that the Chinese Christians were safe.

Some Bible verses concerning a relationship with God:

a.Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. James 4:8

b.The Father and Jesus will make their home with you. John14:23

c.God abides in us. 1 John 4:16

II THE BEST LIFE OFFERS A GUIDE BOOK FOR LIVING:

Moses reminded the people in Deuteronomy 30.17 to keep God's commandments. God

has a guide book, the Bible, for us to use in our daily lives. Every game we play has rules

and guidelines. Football has rules which the players must observe. If any of them break

the rules, their team must pay a penalty. Any game you play has rules and regulations.

The Bible gives us regulations for living in the game of life. Even some of the laws of the

government are based on the Bible. Even those who live a spiritual, worldly, or secular

life follow some principles of the Bible. Otherwise, we would be like the people in the

time of the Judges when everyone did what was right in his sight. A child wanted her

mother to play a game of charades with her. The mother agreed but sat down to read

the rule book. "What are you doing," the child asked. The mother said,"I'm reading the

rule book." The child said, "Don't worry I know how to play the game." Sometimes we

think we know so much that we do not need to read the rule book. The Bible is God's

rule book for living. We lean until our understanding at our risks. Blessed are those who

hear the word of God and obey it. (Luke 11:28) Other verses on the word of God.

a. The word endures forever. 1 Peter 1:25

b. God's word is at work in you. 1 Thessalonians 2:13

c. God's word is living and active. Hebrews 4:12

d. All scripture is inspired by God. 2 Timothy 3:16

III THE BEST LIFE OFFERS BLESSINGS FOR LIFE:

Moses told the people that God would bless them in the land if they served him. God

has blessings in store for us along the path of life.The Bible says to praise God from

whom all blessing flow. Persons who follow other choices are also blessed, but have no

one to thank for them. Some may give lip service to God, but many assume they have

achieved blessings in life through their own endeavors. They refuse to give credit where

credit is due. However, those who chose the best life know from whence their blessings

come. A little boy was disturbed because his father had changed jobs and perhaps

would not be able to give him as many Christmas gifts as before. Imagine his surprise