What is the meaning of life? What is our purpose? Why do we exist? These are questions that mankind has pondered since the beginning of time. Needless to say, I’ve had these same inquiries myself. My conclusion is simple; the reason for our existence is to choose life.
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
So the first question that comes to mind from this passage in Deuteronomy; what is the life that is set before us? To begin with it is the new life that comes through faith.
More specifically, as stated by the apostle Paul, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). Saved from what you may ask? From sin, death and eternal separation from God.
Secondly, the next question that comes to mind from the above passage; what is death? The Bible presents death as separation. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body, and spiritual death is the separation of the soul from God.
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
For the saved, death ushers us into the presence of Christ. But for those that are unsaved, death brings to an end the chance to accept God’s offer of salvation. Tragically, it is too late for the unsaved to choose life.
Next, the above passage (Deut 30:19) also speaks of the blessing and the curse. The blessing refers to spiritual blessings available to us if we choose life in Christ. These blessings encompass eternity.
Lastly, the curse mentioned is the curse of living under the law which no one can fulfill. Thus, the law exposes our need for a Savior. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13).
Now those who have life are those who choose life. This brings up the topic of free will. The Bible is clear that we have the ability to choose, and to choose wisely. God created mankind in His own image and that includes the ability to choose (Genesis 1:27).
“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
The subject of free will is confirmed by Jesus Himself. He clearly presented people the choice to repent. So every call to repent is a call to choose. The command to believe assumes that the hearer has free will to choose.
Jesus singled out the problem of some unbelievers when He told them, “But you are not willing to come to me that you may have life” (John 5:40). Clearly, they could have come if they wanted to; their problem was they chose not to.
To elaborate on the subject of free will, we see this issue demonstrated many times in the Old Testament. God sent prophets to warn the Israelites of impending judgment because of their sins.
However, the Israelites chose not to heed the warnings and suffered the consequences. “A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7).
Clearly, we are accountable and responsible for our choices and ultimately we determine our eternal destination. So choose life that you may live.
Convicting…