I received a phone call the other day from a close relative of someone I visit periodically in the nursing home. Due to health complications, her loved one was no longer able to communicate with her or the rest of the family. One of her first questions to me was, "Is she saved?"
As a chaplain I do a lot of listening and I have the privilege of spending very meaningful times with people. Conversations include topics of special past memories, struggles in the present and most importantly, the person's relationship with Christ. When I inquire if they have surrendered their hearts to Him and received Him as their Savior, some will know exactly what I am talking about. Their faces will light up and they will begin to share what Christ has done in their lives. Others will look at me a little strangely and still others will tell me what they accomplished while at their church- teaching Sunday school or serving on a committee. Sometimes, I find myself mentally asking the question- have we openly discussed the most important thing this life is about- Jesus Christ? Have we shared truth from the Word and genuinely from our hearts in our churches, in our families, in our circles of influence? Do we talk about salvation, surrender, and commitment to Christ? Do we care enough to ask others how they are doing spiritually? Are we transparent and not afraid of asking for help when it comes to our Christian walk? It is imperative as Christians that we walk together for encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25), perseverance, and learning.
In Deuteronomy 30, God speaks through Moses and tells the Israelites He has given them a choice- life or death. God's heart is revealed as He pleads with them to choose life- to choose Him. He reminds us that our choice affects our journey and destination, but also those precious ones who come after us. Scripture says that to choose life means to love Him, to obey Him and commit firmly to Him. To commit firmly to Him in the Hebrew means 'to cling or adhere to, to follow close or hard after, to be joined together.' Choosing life is receiving salvation through faith in Christ and then living for Him. Salvation is not an automatic just because we go to church or serve on a committee. We must surrender our hearts and lives to Him. Once we have declared Him as Lord of our lives, we must obey Him and actually put His Word into practice. It is one thing to know the Word, it is another thing to live it. As we walk this journey we are bound to fall on our faces. We need to cling to Him and His Word to get back up and persevere. We must diligently choose to follow hard after Him, to seek Him with all of our hearts. This is choosing life. Life or death- what choice will you make? Is it time to openly talk to someone close to you about their choice?
Dear Lord, I choose You. Fill my heart up with an unquenchable love for you, the desire to obey Your voice and the strength and tenacity to cling to you always. May I live this life in such a way that I don't leave people guessing about my devotion to You.
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