“I wish I had gone with the extended warranty!”

I sometimes wonder if cars have a self-destruct mechanism once the warranty expires. The word “expire” takes on a whole new meaning!

Life is about choices: How high we go on the education ladder. The careers we choose. The people we marry. The houses we buy or the places we rent. We make daily choices about what we wear, what we eat, where we go, and what we do.

Our spiritual destiny is one of those things that requires a choice.

One day, a rich young ruler came and knelt before Jesus and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17, ESV)

Let me point out that he knew in his heart that Jesus was the One to be approached about eternal life. Second, he knew that there was a life that extended beyond this world we live in.

Jesus rehearsed the commandments, to which he replied, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” (Matthew 19:20)

Notice that this young ruler knew that works alone were not sufficient to quiet a troubled heart.

In Mark 10:21, we’re told that Jesus, when he heard his response, “loved him” and then told him to give away his wealth and follow Him.

“Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:22)

Jesus did not bargain with him or lower the bar. Jesus does not seek converts but disciples, and He calls all to “follow Me” (Matthew 4:19).

For those of us who have responded to the call, life is still about choices. There are a lot of “ifs” in Scripture.

• “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” (Matthew 16:24)

• “Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” (Hebrews 3:6)

• “For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” (Hebrews 3:14)

• “If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:3)

• “If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven.” (Colossians 1:23)

Jesus desires for those who follow Him to do so willingly. It is a daily decision to accept the path set before us.

Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Luke 9:23-24).

Joshua’s words to the children of Israel are just as relevant today as they were 3,300 years ago:

“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond 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.” (Joshua 24:15)

Proverbs 14:12 tells us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

Choose your path wisely!

Roaring lion, anyone?

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!