Choose Life
Proper motivation for loyalty and obedience
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Today I invoke heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set life and death, blessing and curse, before you. Therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live! I also call on you to love the Lord your God, to obey him and be loyal to him, for he gives you life and enables you to live continually in the land the Lord promised to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NET)
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Lots in here.
Moses sets the choice before the people of Israel. Encouraging them to choose life in God rather than following the cursed pagan path of the world.
At a glance, it’s an easy decision.
Choose life.
Simple.
But we know that the path of the Lord, following the rules & guidelines & laws He set up for His people is not easy. In fact, it’s very difficult.
So, how can they, practically, choose life?
Love the Lord, obey Him, and be loyal to Him.
This is timeless wisdom for us to consider. As true today as it was then.
Loving God is a decision we make, day after day. We love because He first loved us and gave us the gift of His only Son’s sacrifice so that we might have eternal life.
Obedience flows out of that love.
It’s easier (notice I said easier, not necessarily easy) to obey God when we look ahead to the good life He gives us. The good eternal life, the reward in heaven.
Paul had that perspective, counting all things as rubbish compared to knowing Christ.
Loyalty is demonstrated by our loving obedience.
We don’t obey God to try and earn His grace. We don’t have to do that because He freely gives His grace to those who place their faith in Christ.
We obey because we love.
We’re loyal because He’s so loyal.
I guess it all feels a little circular, but maybe that’s because it’s so connected.
Love & obedience & loyalty.
Lots in there.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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