Choose Life (Deuteronomy 30:19)

I have a number of friends who have no interest in coming to Christ because of their experiences with the church. They confuse what I call churchianity with the living reality of Christ. Most of the church-burned have been hit over the head with a heresy I label “Bully God.” Bully God is the cosmic policeman. He is the author of a very long list of prohibitions. If you don’t do what He says, Bully God will hit you with a huge taser – you’ll be cursed; ultimately you’ll go to hell.

Jesus showed us that the idea of a Bully God was completely off base. He told us that He did nothing outside His Father’s will. What did Jesus do? He loved us. He healed us. He taught us. He showed us the way to act toward one another. He insisted we quit seeking our own way all the time. He comforted us. He saved us from the evil in the world and from the evil in ourselves. Not once did He tase anyone (although he gave the money changers quite a story to take home to their wives). Instead of tasing us, He died for us, taking on cosmic Evil to defeat Death once and for all and to open to us a way Home.

I do not believe our choices are ultimately between right and wrong or even between good and evil. I believe our choices are between Life and Death. God is Life and His way brings Life. When we stray from the path of Life, we end up wandering toward Death. This is not coercion, this is simply cause and effect. If you jump into water, you will get wet. If you walk of a cliff, you will fall (and get hurt, most likely). If you eat too much, you will gain weight. It just is what it is. God does not point His finger at you and say “If you jump into water, I’ll make you wet!” or “If you walk off a cliff, I’ll hurt you!” But often, that is how we interpret His curses. His curses aren’t an action on His part so much as they are a consequence of our choices when we choose badly.

Following His laws ensures that life works for us. Think of God’s laws as signposts, pointing the way. “This works; that doesn’t work.” Disobeying those laws generally brings trouble and strife, sooner or later, either individually, collectively, or both.

Jesus showed us that these laws are not only concrete, they are spiritual. “Don’t murder” becomes “Don’t hold resentment against others.” Murder takes a life, but resentment corrodes a soul. Both actions result in Death: of another, of our contentment, and of our ability to live peaceably with other people. The wages of sin are death – not because God is after you, but because sin always results in Death: death of relationship, death of happiness, death of spirit, death of hope…the list is long.

Jesus said that the only way to Life is through Him. His way is love of God and each other and obedience to God’s laws. It is not an easy way, but it is the way that leads to Life. Don’t get lost; follow the signposts.

Deuteronomy 30:19