God’s opportunity for you is less complicated than any other

By Dean Collins

Here is some encouraging news. While many things out there are too hard and out of reach for us, we have an alternative that is neither too hard nor too far off. God’s commands summed up in 1) loving God and 2) loving others is something we can do. And I am absolutely confident it is easier than the growing complexity of the alternatives.

Just try to keep up with cultural and political correctness and before long you will crash. The constant clarification of what is proper and eventually legal is not sustainable or enforceable. What if we took the option laid out for us in God’s Word and chose life? It was an option given to God’s beloved as they stood listening to the instructions from Moses before Joshua led them into the Promised Land. And while many things have been and will continue to be canceled by culture and politics, this option will always be available.

The One to trust

The option to trust the Creator of Heaven and earth instead of trusting the next thing some politician or entertainment icon suggests is both real and available today. No one has taken away our ability to choose to love God, love others, and thereby possess the kingdom of God now and forever.

For a guy who thought himself to be a poor communicator and in need of a spokesperson, Moses in his old age seems to have found his voice. And he was quite productive right up to his death. He left these inspiring words and then wrote a song before he died. Regardless of your youth or advanced years this choice is still available, and God will still deliver on his promises.

Yes I will admit there are difficulties in life. Some problems are complex and difficult to solve. The deeper we get into the details, the more challenging things seem to be. So maybe it’s good to take a view from a higher level to get our perspective. Moses does that for us in Deuteronomy 30:11-20. Here are the highlights, but you should read the whole passage before you decide.

The higher level

To follow God’s command is not too hard (v. 11).
To find God’s command does not require a scavenger hunt. It is easy to access and completely visible (vv. 11-14).
God’s Word is near to you (v. 14).
God’s Word is in your mouth and in your heart (v. 14).
Our options are much clearer than we think. Option One is life and good. Option Two is death and evil (v. 15). (Let me know how long it takes you to choose!)
Choosing to follow God results in life, multiplication, blessing, and living in the kingdom of God ( vv. 15,16).
Choosing to trust in other things as your authority is a dead-end street now and later (vv. 17,18).
Choose life for your benefit and for the benefit of your family (v. 19).
If you love God, obey his voice, and hold on to him; then you will live with him every.day and even in eternity (v. 20).

The less complicated path

We may choose to participate in political and cultural conversations. Some of us should. But as we do, we must be careful not to fall into the abyss of unachievable standards that will eventually collapse around us. We must take the higher ground. Take the less complicated path. Not the easy path.

There is no cheap grace or discipleship. But the clearly defined path by Moses and ultimately Jesus is to love God first and with all of our heart, mind, and strength. And to relentlessly love others even as they resist and potentially seek to harm us.

God’s love is a sure and abiding place to dwell.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:11-20‬; Romans‬ ‭10:8-13‬; Psalm‬ ‭36:7-9‬

Photo by Cara Fuller on Unsplash

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