Dwight Fletcher | Life or Death?

In this era of 'fake news' and 'alternative facts', many of us have good reason to question the things we hear. We question sources, statistics, and even what our eyes see. It has become increasingly difficult to decide what news to accept and act on, but there is one bit of good news, from a solid source that has remained consistent for more than 2,000 years.

In Deuteronomy 30, Moses lays it out for the children of Israel, and it still applies to us today:

" ... This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life ..." Deuteronomy 30: 19-20 (NIV).

The central issue of our existence is our spiritual life and spiritual death, i.e., where we stand with God. The choice of life is a choice for a relationship with God with all the benefits it affords, while that of death is one of separation from God and the consequences that accompany that position.

This choice has been required even from Genesis. In the Garden of Eden, God gives mankind a choice by placing two trees - the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil - Genesis 2:8-9

I call them the tree of life and the tree of death because God tells man:

" ...You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; (this includes the Tree of Life) but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it, you will surely die (the Tree of Death)." Genesis 2:16-17 (NIV)

This choice carries serious consequences. Adam chose the tree of death and all hell broke loose - the ground is cursed, disease comes into the world, pain in childbirth occurs, we die spiritually and begin to die physically.

FAITH AND TRUST IN GOD

Choosing the tree of life would mean trust, faith, and uncompromising belief in God that what He says is true and is for our good. We still have that choice to make today: life or death, blessing or destruction. But sometimes we have preconceived notions about how this important decision should play out.

This is demonstrated in the life of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. Naaman was a highly respected military leader in Aram who had leprosy. When he went to Israel's prophet, Elisha, for healing, Elisha sent a messenger to tell Naaman to wash in the river Jordan seven times in order to be healed. "But Naaman went away angry and said, 'I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy." 2 Kings 5:11 (NIV).

Quite often, we think that to surrender our life to Jesus, we must feel something mystical or spiritual or wait on a special call. But the call came 2,000 years ago when Jesus died and rose again so that you could have a relationship with God. Jesus is waiting for your answer! God often reveals Himself quietly and only requires your simple obedience and simple faith. Will you answer?

Moses said it "is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach", Deuteronomy 30:11. We need only recognise that we cannot save ourselves from death. Only the supernatural, spiritual power of God can do that. So stop looking for the mystical and start looking for God.

The apostle Paul quoted Moses in Romans 10:8-10 (NIV):

"But what does it say? 'The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,' that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

God is life, and we accept this life on the terms of the giver. These terms are exceedingly simple yet tremendously profound: repent and believe the good news. No magical experience, inordinate amount of human effort, or complicated understanding required.