Shortly before his death “Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem” and gave what has been called his “farewell address” (Josh. 24:1). Included in his remarks are these words as are recorded in Joshua 24:15: “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

The Israelites were thus called upon to make a choice, a choice between “the gods” of human invention, or the Lord God Who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, Who both preserved and delivered His people (cf. vs. 6-9). They were faced with a choice!

We, too, must make choices. Choices are a part of life in the flesh; we have to make choices every day. Generally speaking, the major choices we face in life “boils down: to two choices–a choice between that which is right or that which is wrong. And, for good or evil, choices have consequences! In the balance of this article we shall consider some of the choices we make in life.

A Choice of Two Foundations! As He began to conclude the famous Sermon on the mount Jesus said that “whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock” (Matt. 7:24). He further said that “everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand”  (vs 26). Repeatedly in the Psalms David called the Lord his “rock,” implying that He is the firm foundation upon which to build. God is indeed that firm foundation upon Whom to build our hope. He is unchanging; in Him “there is no variation or shadow of turning” (Jas. 1:17). Moreover, the Son of God is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). Friend, you can choose to build your hopes on Jesus Christ, the solid rock foundation, or you can “build” upon the sinking sand of material possessions, prestige, fame, etc.; all of which will collapse and fade away to a state of utter worthlessness!

The choice of Two Walks! The choice of whether we will walk “by faith” or “by sight.” To the saints at Corinth Paul said “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). Indeed, we must walk by faith, for the Bible clearly states that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). Inasmuch as “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17), then it is evident that to walk “by faith” is to believe and follow the will of God as it is set forth in the Bible. Those who refuse to believe and follow the Bible are walking “by sight.”

The choice of Two Roads to Follow! Jesus said “enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who find it” (Matt. 7:13,14). Yes, one “way” is “broad,” and the other is “narrow.” One road is difficult to enter and to follow, the other is broad and easy; one road leads to “life,” and the other “leads to destruction.” Multitudes long for “life,” but they are traveling the road that leads to “destruction”! Friend, if you prefer eternal life over eternal misery, then choose to “enter by the narrow gate,” and follow that “difficult” way “which leads to life.” You can not go to heaven if you follow the way that leads to hell!

The Choice of Two Classes of People to Be A Part Of! One group is called “slaves of sin,” the other is called “slaves of righteousness.” To the saints at Rome Paul wrote saying, “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17,18). To become a slave “of righteousness” one has to make a choice; the choice to obey that “form of doctrine,” or the gospel of Jesus Christ (Cf. 2 Thess. 1:7-9; 1 Pet. 4:18).

The Choice of Two Deaths! John wrote, saying, “blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on” (Rev. 14:13). One can “die in the Lord,” or he can die out of the Lord. One can die in Christ, or he can die in his sins! Jesus said “if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (Jn.8:24). In either event–whether one dies “in the Lord” or “in his sins” – a choice has to be made before he dies!

A Choice of Two Places in Which To “Spend Eternity.” One place is called “heaven” (1 Pet. 1:4); the other is called “hell” (Matt. 10:28). One place is described as that of transcending beauty, bliss, and blessings (Rev. 21:16-21); the other is described as “the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41). There is no place in the Bible called either “Limbo,” or “purgatory.” One’s eternal destiny will be in either heaven or hell!

Conclusion:

Yes, life is filled with choices! All choices have consequences. In the hereafter no soul agonizing in hell can justifiably blame God; he can only blame himself for the bad choices he made in life! God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet.  3:9) He loved us so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross in our behalf (Jn. 3:16; Romans 5:8, 10). Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-4), the “gospel” (the real good news) became a reality and the gospel serves as “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). However, when the Lord returns from heaven “in flaming fire,” He will take “vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel” (2 Thess. 1:7-9). One can choose to obey the gospel, or he can choose not to obey. After having obeyed the gospel one can choose to “be faithful unto death” (Rev. 2:10), or he can choose to “again” become “entangled” in the “pollutions of the world” and be “overcome” (2 Pet. 2:20). In either event, for good or bad, one’s destiny is determined by one’s own choices!

Friend, in the words of Moses to ancient Israel, we urge you to “choose life” (Deut. 30:19). “Choose life” by believing the gospel (Mk. 16:16), by repenting of your sins (Acts 17:30), by confessing your faith in Jesus as the Son of God (Rom. 10:9, 10), and by being baptized into Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Gal. 3:27; Acts 2:38). Then remain “faithful unto death” and you can then enjoy “eternal life” (Tit. 1:2), in that prepared place for a prepared people.