I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. (Deuteronomy 30:15)
The Messiah taught that there is only one way that leads to life and blessing. Likewise, there is a parallel path that leads to death and destruction. Our choices will place us on one or the other — there are no other options. That is the summary of Moses’ statement here with the inference being that the choice is ours to make. Obviously, it is the Creator’s will that we choose the path that leads to life and blessing, which means we are to comply with His instructions. To do that, however, means we will have to overcome our own will whose default position is, incredibly, to choose death and evil.
It was Paul who said, “What I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (Romans 7:15). I’ve always taken that to mean that, like the rest of us, he knows what is right but finds himself, at times, doing what he knows is wrong. This conundrum we so often find ourselves in is the conflict between what Paul calls the spiritual mind and the carnal mind. Paul summed it up this way:
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:6-8).
There is a rabbinical adage that says, “All is in the hands of God except the fear of God.” In other words, it is within our control whether or not we will obey Him. When we choose to walk in our flesh we are, in effect, declaring war on God and His Word — harsh words but true, nevertheless. Consequently, failure to submit to God’s Word will result in death; submission results in “life and peace” and being called “sons of God” (Romans 8:14). Before us lay two paths — one that leads to life and blessing; one that leads to death. In the end, the choice between the two is ours to make.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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