As humans we have the ability to make choices. In fact we have no choice but to make choices - every day. Mankind has been given this privilege and responsibility from the beginning. Of all the choices we must make, the greatest of all is whether or not we will serve God.
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15
"Choose you..."
No one can make this choice for you. You must ultimately make it on your own. How do you choose correctly? You must simply base that choice on God's word, not on your own preference (John 8:32).
What must be done in making the choice to serve the Lord? We must:
Believe (Hebrews 11:6). We must believe in God, in what He has spoken to us through His written word.
Repent (Acts 17:30). Repent means to turn away - to turn away from the world of sin and toward God.
Confess (Matthew 10:32). We must be willing to confess our faith in Christ before others.
Be baptized (Acts 2:38). We must do what those in the early church did. We must be immersed into Christ. This final act of faith in God forgives our sins and adds us to Christ's church, at which point we begin a faithful life in His service.
"Choose you this day..."
This life is filled with uncertainty. Lives are lost at unexpected moments. In regards to our salvation, this day is the day which is urgent. The decision which involves our eternal destiny is a crucial one (Matthew 24:36-39).
"Choose you this day whom you will serve..."
Being pleasing to God involves and demands service (Luke 9:23; Matthew 10:38). This Christian life is a life of service. We must take up our cross daily. The faithful Christian is truly a servant. He is in subjection to Christ and His will. We are His servants because we have been bought with a price.
We are to be servants of others as well (Galatians 6:2). Others have physical burdens which we need to tend to. We are obligated to do so. We are also to tend to the mental and emtional burdens of others. And thirdly, we are to help others with their spiritual burdens. We need to seek and help the lost, as the lost are spiritually ailing. We likewise need to seek out those Christians who have fallen back into the ways of the world.
Have you chosen this day whom you will serve?
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 24:36-39
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
