A MATTER OF CHOICE

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”  (Joshua 24:15).

Visualize the aged Joshua standing before the nation of Israel spread over the valleys and hills of Shechem.  They have been summoned to appear before Jehovah and to hear a farewell address by the great soldier-statesman, Joshua.  This valiant soldier has suffered as a slave, served as a spy, and led the army in conquest.  He is now to say his “good-byes.”

When one knows that his time is limited, he speaks only things that are of utmost importance.  Joshua did not waste words on this occasion.  His last message pierced the hearts of those who heard.  The people of Israel made a commitment saying: “We will serve Jehovah” (Joshua 24:21).  Therefore, they put away their pagan gods and served the true and living God (Joshua 24: 24)

Through the centuries, these words: “Choose you this day...” have motivated many to live righteously.  They teach a number of important lessons:

Righteousness is a matter of choice.  One does not become a Christian by accident!   “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:17)  One must choose to obey the truth from the heart in order to be saved.(Romans 6:17; 1 Peter 1:22).

Righteousness is not forced.  We are free to choose whether or not to serve the Lord.  God reveals the consequences of serving Satan (Romans 6:23), but He leaves men free to choose for themselves.  Forced devotion is of no value to God.

Righteousness is a personal choice.  The appeal of God is no to nations but to individuals.  “Whosoever will, let him come” (Revelation 2217).  Likewise, the judgment will be personal: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad”.(2 Corinthians 5:10).

Righteousness is an urgent choice.  Indecision is a fatal error.  Not to actively serve God, is in reality to serve Satan.  Jesus said, “Whosoever is not with me is against me” (Matthew 12:30).  The choice of righteousness is urgent!  There is no reason for delay.

“Choose you this day” is the urgent admonition of the statesman of long ago.  Remember, “now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).  “Tomorrow” is the devil’s device to lead people to eternity unprepared.  Determine now that you will serve the Lord and follow through on your resolve by doing the will of God without delay.

--Dan Flournoy, Northeast Church of Christ, Hurst, Texas.