You Must Choose

Choosing a paint color

There's a book on my shelf called "The Paradox of Choice - Why More is Less" by phycologist Barry Schwartz. The author sets out to explore the problem of the abundance of choices available to most Americans today. It seems that while most people would think more choices are better, the research indicates that an overabundance of choices can actually be crippling and lead to depression and feelings of loneliness. Pretty heavy, huh? I bet you didn't realize that just choosing which toilet paper to buy could be the source of your sadness!

When we think of choice in terms of scripture, it's refreshing to see that basically, mankind is given just two basic choices.

God told his people in the Old Testament, the Israelites, that they had only two choices:

 "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live." - Deuteronomy 30:19

 That was it! Choose either life or choose death. Life would lead to blessings; death would lead to curses. Your choice!

Even in the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had two choices. They could choose to either eat the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil or not eat the fruit. It was simple. And sadly, "They chose poorly."

Fast forward to today. Again, the number of choices are simply two. How, you ask? The Bible says,

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." - John 3:36

To believe is simply "trust" combined with action

Did you catch it? Either we believe or we reject the Son (Jesus). That's it! You don't have to compare plans. You don't have to call for a quote. You don't have to read the label. Just believe or reject! Simple!

Anyone, not just one nation, but anyone, who believes in Jesus is welcome to receive eternal life with God the Father. Of course this is where to amazing gospel story comes into play, but rest assured, the work has already been done!

What exactly does "believing in Jesus" look like? You could use the word "trust" in place of "believe" and that might make it clearer.

For example, if you take a plane somewhere, you trust the person piloting the aircraft has been fully trained to fly the plane. And you trust they are taking you where they say they will. You also trust they'll leave and arrive when they say they will. In essence, you BELIEVE in the pilot. Taking it one step further, you also BELIEVE in the company that pilot flies for. Unless, of course, they make you leave the plane...then your belief may be shaken!

But Jesus is faithful! He's fully capable to save us from our sins (1 John 2:2). He promises to take us one day to a place he has gone to prepare for us (John 14:1-6). And He has drawn up a timeline already (Matthew 24:36-39)!

The other side of the coin is death. Why? Because God's wrath - His punishment for rejecting his son - is what we all deserve. If you dare, read 1st and 2nd Kings in the Old Testament to see God's wrath upon those who refused to obey God. It's not pretty. In fact, it's seriously R-rated!

You must choose! I pray you chose the Son! It's the best choice among just two choices!