Life & Death

I’m not sure that there is a middle ground on this one. I’ve heard people say that they are “half-dead”, but I’m not sure I’ve heard anyone say that are “half-alive”. I’m actually not sure you can be in the middle on this one. Alive is alive and dead is dead – seems quite obvious to me.

Jeremiah was this shy young prophet who was given a very unpopular message to give to the people. He couldn’t keep quiet because the message was burning up inside and he had to share it. The king of Israel was being attacked by Babylon and he wanted to ask the Lord to take care of his attacker as he had done before. But the Lord said no and offered two choices. Check this out….

8 “Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives. (Jeremiah 21:8-9 NIV)

I’m not sure that these two choices have changed much. Life is found in the hand of the Creator of Life and death is found in His enemy. God created life – He gives me life. He sustains my life. He directs my life. He shows me the way to life forever.

If I choose another path other than life, I’m essentially choosing death. I may live it up for a while here on earth, but death will catch me. I can follow my own selfish desires and wants. I can do whatever I want, but if I choose anything other than life – it is really a choice leading to death. I know it sounds morbid and dark, but it really comes down to that. The Lord wants my heart to pursue His heart. That pursuit leads to life. When I follow my flesh and it’s desires – I’m on a clear path that leads to death. There isn’t room for gray here – I’m in one camp or the other. I’m choosing life every time – the outcome is much brighter and full of promise. I am aware that death here on earth is ultimately the end for everyone, but for those who know the Lord there is life eternal after death on earth.

Pressing On!

Dwayne