There’s a decision every person must make that ultimately defines their eternal fate. It’s not about what you’ve achieved, who you know, or even your beliefs about life after death. The choice that matters most comes down to one question: Will you choose life or death?
Many people live their lives oblivious to the gravity of this choice, often operating under the assumption that the concept of eternal life or death is something vague, distant, and theoretical. But what if I told you that this decision isn’t just about your future—it’s about your present? It’s about how you choose to live now and what your life reveals about the choices you make every day.
In this post, we will delve into what it truly means to choose life. The journey to understanding starts here—let’s dive deep into the truth of God’s Word, illuminated by His love.
The Choice Set Before Us
The Bible presents life and death as a choice that matters most. This isn’t just an abstract concept or a posthumous decision we make at the moment of death. In fact, the decision to choose life is intimately connected with the here and now. It’s not merely about where you’ll spend eternity—it’s about how you live today that affects said eternity.
In Deuteronomy 30:19, God gives us a profound declaration:
“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.”
Notice how this verse emphasizes the active nature of the decision. Life isn’t a passive thing that simply happens to us. It is chosen, moment by moment. And what’s more, this choice impacts not only us but generations to come. This is a decision that ripples through eternity—affecting families, communities, and nations.
What does it mean to choose life? It’s more than a decision of whether you believe in God or not—it’s about choosing to align your life with God’s will, to live in a way that reflects the eternal hope of Christ. But what about those who choose otherwise? The Bible warns us of the consequences of choosing death, but this isn’t a threat—it’s a reality check.
The Illusion of “Neutral” Choices
Here’s where the plot twist comes in.
In modern society, we tend to view neutrality as a valid option. Many believe that they can sit on the sidelines, be indifferent, and not make a decision about life or death. “I don’t want to think about that right now,” they may say. “I’ll make that choice later.” But here’s the catch—choosing to do nothing is actually a choice in itself.
In Matthew 12:30, Jesus makes a radical statement that challenges the notion of neutrality:
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
It’s not enough to simply avoid making a decision. Indifference to Christ is a decision against Him. There is no middle ground. To refuse to choose life is, by default, to choose death. This truth might be uncomfortable, but it’s essential in understanding the gravity of our choices.
We might imagine that sitting idly by, without taking any definitive stand, is the safer path. But according to Scripture, inaction is spiritual death. The belief that you can live in a state of spiritual neutrality is a dangerous illusion. Every action, thought, and belief either moves you closer to life or further from it.
The Power of Choice: Decisions that Shape Our Destiny
From the very beginning, God has made this concept clear: we have a choice. A choice to live, to follow Him, or go our own way. And from that very first moment, the decisions we make—big or small—carry consequences that shape not only our immediate lives but our eternity.
Choice isn’t just a gift from God; it’s a responsibility. It’s the heartbeat of our faith, the very essence of what it means to walk with God. God didn’t create us to be robots. He didn’t make us to follow blindly. He gave us the power to choose, from the start. And whatever choice matters the most—today, tomorrow, and forever.
The First Choice: A Garden, a Command, and a Fall
In the beginning, in the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had everything. The world was theirs to enjoy, and God placed just one boundary before them. One tree that He told them not to touch. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? But therein lies the power of choice.
God gave them freedom: you can have all of this, but don’t touch this one thing. And they had the freedom to choose. The question was never, “Can I eat from the tree?” The question was: Will I trust God’s word, or will I follow my own desire?
The moment they took the fruit and ate, they chose their own way over God’s. That choice ushered in sin, separation, and death into the world. But here’s the thing—God didn’t force them. That choice, that decision, was theirs to make. And from that moment, each of us has been given the same power: the freedom to choose God’s way or our own.
Moses: The Choice to Lead
Centuries later, God called Moses from a burning bush (Exodus 3). A man who once fled from Egypt now stood in the presence of God, faced with another decision. God wasn’t asking Moses to lead because he had the credentials. He wasn’t the most qualified. He was a man on the run, a man with a past. But God said, “I will send you to Pharaoh.”
Moses’ initial response? Fear. Doubt. Excuses. But here’s where we see the power of choice that matters most: God never forces. He invites. God said, “I will be with you,” and Moses had the choice to either stay in his fear or move forward in obedience.
Moses chose to lead. And through his obedience, an entire nation was set free. His choice didn’t just change his life—it changed the life of an entire people. His obedience led to the Exodus, the greatest act of deliverance Israel had ever known. Moses chose life not for himself alone, but for his people.
Joshua: A Leader’s Choice
Years later, standing on the precipice of the Promised Land, Joshua gathered the people of Israel. They had wandered for 40 years, and now, the promise was before them. But there was a choice. Would they serve the gods of the nations around them, or would they choose the God who had brought them out of slavery?
Joshua, standing firm in his faith, made his declaration clear: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). The choice was not just for him; it was for his children, his people, his future. Joshua was not swayed by the pressures of the world around him. He knew the importance of this decision.
The Israelites followed Joshua’s lead, and by choosing to serve God, they stepped into the fullness of what God had promised them. Choosing life through obedience was not just an individual decision—it was a collective decision that shaped the future of a nation.
Saul: The Choice to Disobey
But not every decision leads to life. King Saul’s story is a painful reminder of the consequences of choosing disobedience over obedience. God gave Saul a clear command: destroy everything in Amalek—every person, every animal. But Saul made a different choice. He spared the king, spared the best of the livestock, and rationalized it by saying they would be used for sacrifice.
When Samuel confronted him, Saul defended his actions, claiming that he had followed God’s command, but his disobedience was clear. Samuel’s words were a rebuke: “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22)
Saul’s choice to take matters into his own hands didn’t just cost him a battle—it cost him the kingdom. God rejected him as king. His choice of partial obedience led to complete loss. Saul’s disobedience serves as a reminder: when we choose our way over God’s, we choose death, not life.
The Prodigal Son: A Return to Life
And then, there’s the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). A young man who asked for his inheritance early, left his father’s house, and squandered everything he had. He chose the world, the pleasures, and the promises of fleeting happiness. But when the money ran out and the famine came, the son found himself in a pigsty, longing to eat what the pigs ate.
He had a choice: to stay in his mess, or to return to his father. The son chose to return. And the moment he turned back, his father ran to him, embraced him, and restored him.
His decision to return to his father wasn’t just about getting back what he lost—it was about choosing life over despair. The choice of reconciliation over distance. And that choice brought him back to the love and grace of his father.
Jesus: The Ultimate Choice that Matters Most
Then, there’s Jesus. In the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46), knowing the weight of what lay ahead, Jesus wrestled with the most profound choice of all. The cross. The suffering. The separation from His Father. He prayed, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
Jesus made the choice to surrender. He chose death, so that we could have life. His choice was the ultimate act of obedience, the ultimate act of love. Through His decision, the path to eternal life was opened to all who would believe AND obey.
The Freedom of Choice: A Gift from God
From the very beginning, God has given us the freedom to choose. He has never forced us into obedience; He has never manipulated our wills. He has laid before us life and death, blessing and curse. And He invites us to choose.
Every choice we make, no matter how small, has a ripple effect. Choosing obedience to God, choosing His will, choosing to align our lives with His purpose—these decisions lead to life. They lead to freedom. They lead to fulfillment. But choosing our own way, ignoring His voice, choosing sin or rebellion—these lead to consequences. They lead to separation AND ultimately death.
Today, God is still giving us that choice: life or death. We are invited to choose life through Christ, just as Adam, Moses, Joshua, Saul, the prodigal son, and even Jesus Himself did. Our choices matter. And just as those in Scripture faced the power of their decisions, we too are faced with the same power: the power to choose life.
So, the question remains: What will you choose?
Practical Ways to Choose Life
Choosing life isn’t just about a one-time decision or a moment of conviction. It’s about a daily commitment to live in alignment with God’s will, no matter the circumstances. It’s choosing to move through this world with eternity in mind, understanding that every choice, every action, every thought either brings us closer to God or pulls us further away.
Choosing life begins with an intentional, ongoing relationship with God. It’s not enough to have a “one and done” moment of decision; this is a walk that requires constant surrender. Each day, we face a thousand small choices—choices that, when added together, define our lives.
The first step in choosing life is to be in constant communication with God. Prayer is not just a ritual; it’s the breath of our relationship with Him. When we pray, we invite God into every corner of our lives, from the mundane to the monumental. It’s through prayer that we hear from God, find His peace, and discover His guidance for the choices we face. Without prayer, we are walking blind, stumbling through the world on our own understanding. But when we pray, we align ourselves with the Creator, the One who knows the end from the beginning.
As we pray, we are also called to study His Word. The Bible is more than just a collection of stories; it’s the living, breathing voice of God, speaking directly to us. God has given us His Word to guide us in the choices we make every day. When we dive into Scripture, we don’t just find instructions for how to live; we encounter the heart of God. His Word reveals His character, His love, and His desires for our lives. It speaks to every situation, from how we should love others to how we should handle our finances. Choosing life means choosing to submit ourselves to the wisdom of God’s Word, allowing it to shape our decisions, thoughts, and actions.
Another critical aspect of choosing life is community. We are not meant to walk this path alone. God designed us for fellowship, not just with Him but with others who are also striving to follow His lead. When we surround ourselves with a community of believers, we are able to encourage one another, hold each other accountable, and grow together. The body of Christ is a support system that helps us stay on track, reminds us of God’s promises, and challenges us to live with integrity. It’s in these relationships that we are sharpened and refined. The community helps us choose life by pointing us back to Christ when we stray.
Choosing life also requires a shift in perspective. It’s easy to get bogged down by the pressures of daily life—the demands of work, relationships, and our own ambitions. But choosing life means choosing to view every situation through the lens of eternity. It’s understanding that this world is temporary, and the choices we make today have lasting implications. When we choose life, we live with purpose, not just in the moment but with a long-term view that keeps our hearts and minds focused on God’s Kingdom. This shift in perspective requires discipline, but it brings peace because it frees us from the fear and anxiety that often come from living for the “here and now.”
Finally, choosing life means living out the love of Christ in tangible ways. Choosing life is not just about what we do for ourselves; it’s about what we do for others. It’s about being the hands and feet of Christ in a world that desperately needs His love. When we choose to serve others, to love our neighbors as ourselves, we demonstrate the life-changing power of God’s love. This love is not passive. It’s not simply a feeling; it’s an active decision to put others’ needs above our own, to forgive when it’s hard, to show kindness when we feel overlooked. Choosing life means choosing what matters most. Love—true, sacrificial love—that reflects Christ in all we do.
Every day, we are faced with the opportunity to choose life. It’s not always easy. Sometimes, the path of life feels hard, and the world’s path looks more appealing. But as we continue to pray, immerse ourselves in God’s Word, stay in community, shift our perspective, and live out His love, we are choosing life over and over again. And with each choice, we reflect the character of God more fully, and we walk deeper into the life He created us for.
The Urgency of Your Choice
Here’s the bottom line: Your choice is not something you can put off. It’s easy to assume that we can delay making a choice about eternal matters, thinking we have plenty of time. But as we’ve seen, to choose nothing is to choose death.
In the coming days, take a moment to examine where you stand. What are the choices that matter most to you? Are you actively choosing life through Christ? Or have you allowed the illusion of neutrality to dominate your perspective? The decision you make today affects everything—your eternity, your impact on others, and the way you live each day.
The call to choose life is more than an invitation; it’s a command. It’s a command that carries with it the weight of eternity but also the beauty of God’s love. We are not simply deciding where we will go after we die—we are deciding how we will live today and whether we will embrace the fullness of life that God offers through Christ.
So, what will you choose? Will you choose life? Or will you remain indifferent, allowing your actions to speak for you? The invitation is clear! Make the choice that matters most: life, now and forever.
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All Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV), unless otherwise noted.
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