It's Only A Choice

Choose to Serve the LORD

2000 William R. Cunningham
January 14, 2001

INTRODUCTION

The events of our lives are dictated by choices. There are many times when we were faced with options, some righteous and some not, and yet we sometimes chose from either side. That is, sometimes we chose to do the "right" thing and other times we chose to do the "wrong" thing. However, behind all of these things is the simple fact of a choice. Sometimes we decide not to do the "right" thing because the consequences might be too high or unacceptable. Yet it still is a choice. As Christians we know to do what God says and we know to live a righteous life.

Why is it so hard then for us to consistently do what is right in any situation. Why do we find ourselves fighting against things that arose from choices that we made in the past? Some fight alcoholism, profanity, sexual addictions, lying, etc. However, any instance of any of these things is still a choice. Our addiction may be so strong that we suffer from withdrawal but the fact of the matter is that it is still a choice. Why not suffer the withdrawal? If nothing else, this tells us that making choices is more complicated then one would suppose. Our choices are influenced or affected by so many things.

The same holds true in the realm of righteous living. We know what God's word says and yet sometimes we still go contrary to it. Why? Why don't we just choose to do all things right regardless of the situation? If we believe in God, love God, and want to do what he says, then why don't we simply do it? Yet we struggle with sin and things that we consider wrong, even taboo. What is so hard about making the right choice? After all, doing the right thing is only a choice.

Well we are going to discuss this topic in this lesson today. All we have to do is make the choice. The choice that we should make is to serve God and in doing that we know that we will do the right thing (according to God's Way). Of course another question arises as to how we know what God's Way is. I will leave that to another lesson. See my study on "Knowing the Voice of God" and "Knowing the Will of God" for more information.

We are going to examine Joshua 24:14-24 in our lesson today. Joshua was old and he brought the people to himself for instruction and admonition. He reminded the people of how God had moved in their life and the lives of their ancestors. He told them to serve God and not serve other gods. The point is that it was their choice. We have a free will to obey God or not to obey God. Whom will you serve? Will you serve God the Father or other gods?

REASONS TO SERVE GOD

God has given us a free will. Therefore, I believe that serving God is not something that is done without reason; otherwise we would effectively not have a free will. God is worthy of our dedication, praise, and worship. He doesn't demand it unjustly even though He could demand it without reason. However, there is good reason to serve and obey God. Consider the following scripture, which is the beginning or the lesson's scripture text.

Notice the first statement, "Now therefore." How many times have I said what that type of statement implies? Whenever a scripture begins with some type of conjunction statement, then that means that we should go back to obtain the proper context for the subject statement. The word, "therefore", implies that there was a previous discussion to which the current one is joined. I'll get back to this in a moment. Consider what Joshua says next. He says to fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and to put away the other gods that their fathers used to serve in Egypt. There are two things here that beg mentioning. First is the fact that they were or had to be told to serve the LORD. The second, and more importantly for our discussion, is the fact that a reason for serving the LORD is implied by the first statement that I mentioned previously.

As I said, the beginning statement implies that there are some things prior to the current scripture or discussion that we should examine in order to fully comprehend this part of the discussion. I have said many times that any conjunction statement at the beginning of a scripture could be thought of as a "go back" command. That is, we should read the scriptures prior to the current one when we see these types of statements. This will help us to get the proper context of the scriptures that we read. In our case, we can go back as far as chapter 23 to get a good idea of the context of our subject scripture. Joshua tells the people how God moved in their lives and the lives of their ancestors. He told them how God was with them and blessed them all of the previous years. He reminded them that their victories over the surrounding nations were not merely a consequence of their strength. Their victories were credited to the hand of God moving on their behalf. The people, including their ancestors, were blessed whenever God was with them.

So now we see that the word "therefore" links the historical summary of God's hand in the Hebrews' lives and the call to loyally serve the LORD. We can then say that we should serve God because God is worthy of our loyalty. He has moved in our lives to bless us and has brought us from one point of development to another. He is worthy of our worship and dedication. I should point out at this time that the loyalty to God is not a blindly accepted thing. Even God doesn't seem to expect or require us to serve him for no reason at all. He constantly proves His faithfulness to us and shows that we should obey His voice and serve Him. Our love for God is justified, if I can say it that way, by nature of His love for us that we see when we look back over our lives and over the lives of others as we witness their testimonies.

THE ADMONISHMENT

There are three things that Joshua states that the people should do.

1. Fear God

2. Serve God

3. Put away

Let's discuss these things now.

Fear God

The Hebrew word fear means to fear, be afraid, to stand in awe of, be awed, to reverence, honor, respect. To fear God doesn't necessarily mean or merely mean that we should be afraid of him in the same way that we might be afraid of a lion for example. After all, God created the universe and is sovereign. He does whatever He wants so we can see how we might be afraid of him in the sense of awe.To fear God also means that we revere him. This means that we hold him in the highest regard, worship him, and look up to Him. This is associated very much with the worship of the LORD and the reason for doing so.

Now I don't believe, as I said previously, that fearing God means that we should be afraid of Him. After all, why would you approach someone that you are afraid of? Also, I think it would be difficult to love someone that you are afraid of. So to fear God in this respect is more a recognition of His power and might and how you have no power over Him in any way imaginable. We have to recognize His love for us at this point else the power of God would be overwhelmingly intimidating to us. However, understanding His love for us will assure us that He is looking out for us and that we are indeed important to Him and need not be afraid of Him.

Serve God

Joshua also says to serve God. What does it mean to serve God? To serve God basically means to do work for Him or to do His work. We can be servants of God by providing a service for Him and on His behalf. This service could be absolutely anything and not limited to a particular form of religious ministry. We serve God by doing what He wants us to do.

Joshua admonishes the people to serve the LORD. The choice belonged to them. Consider the following scripture regarding choice.

Not only did God admonish the people to choose life, He also gave them a good reason for doing so, namely life.

In Sincerity and Truth

Joshua not only says that the people should serve God but that they should do it in sincerity and truth. The Hebrew word sincerity means wholly, completely, undefiled, entirely, and integrity.

The Hebrew word for truth means firmness, continually, faithfully. It implies steadfastness to your service to God.

These mean that our worship and service to God is more than mere ritual. Rather, it is a service that is from the heart and by our own free will. This service is founded on our revelation of God and our love for God, which manifests itself in obedience of God.

Put Away

Put away simply mean to get rid of those things that are held in high regard, worship, and look up to. These, in effect, are other gods that we serve. Anything that takes the place of the LORD is another god. What do you confide in above all else? Do you look to drugs, sex, or money? God is a jealous God, which means that he does not tolerate rivals. So we are to put away all those things that we perceive as gods in our lives. These are the things that we worship for the most part. So put all of these things away and serve the LORD.

THEN CHOSE YOUR "GOD"

Now this is a very interesting statement by Joshua because he isn't saying what many interpret this verse to mean. He is not putting forth a choice to serve God or another god. See 1 Kings 18:21 for that perspective. Look at this closely.

First Joshua says, "if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD." What does this mean and how could it seem evil to serve the LORD? Well the Hebrew word for evil here means to spoil (literally by breaking to pieces); figuratively to make (or be) good for nothing, that is, bad (physically, socially or morally). In this context it refers to displeasure as if it is a "pain" or inconvenient to serve the LORD. Is it inconvenient for you to serve the LORD or is it displeasing to serve Him. It would be inconvenient or displeasing to serve the LORD if we simply want to do our own thing. Self is the greatest hindrance to obeying the LORD.

So Joshua says that if it is displeasing to serve the LORD then chose whom else you will serve. Here he is not putting the option of serving God or other gods. Here he is putting the choice of which other god to serve, since serving the one and true God has been rejected.

THE DECLARATION TO SERVE

How many times have you had very good intentions only to fall short in a matter of time? Certain events happened, such as pain, and you became very conscious of the righteous way. You then choose to do things God's Way. Well this is similar to what is happening in the above passage. The people said that they would in effect serve the LORD. They quoted the great things that God had done for them and their ancestors and declared that they too would serve God.

I recall the Late Pastor Blumentoe asking why we forget so soon when God has done something for us. We declare our allegiance to God only to have it falter as time goes on. I recall a movie that I saw some time ago. I don't remember the name of it but I remember a scene where a man was stranded at sea on some type of floating object and was drifting closer to shore. He told God that he would do everything right if God would get him out of that situation. I think he promised a certain percentage of money or something like that. However, his commitment began to subside, as he got closer to shore. He began to commit to less and less as he got closer to shore and as he negated what he had promised God earlier. This is also true for us sometimes, at least in principle. Something tragic (good or bad) happens and we become committed to God's way. However, as that event becomes more and more of a distant memory, we begin to forget all about it and its effect.

The bottom line is that we should be dedicated in our dedication to serve the LORD. Truly serve Him at all times.

GOD IS JEALOUS

Joshua then tells them that they can't serve the LORD because God is holy and a jealous God and that He will not forgive their transgressions or sins. Ok. There are four words that we should define in order to understand this scripture. These words are listed below.

1. Holy

2. Jealous

3. Transgressions

4. Sins

The word holy means to be sacred or set apart. God is apart from all else and there is no compromise in His Ways. Actually, God is the definition of holy. God at one point said to be holy as He is holy (see Leviticus 11:44,45, 1 Peter 1:16).

The word "jealous" means to be intolerant of rivals or to demand loyalty. This means that God will not share the worship due Him. You must either choose Him or another. Consider the following scripture.

You cannot serve the LORD and other gods. You must chose one or the other and hopefully you choose the LORD. See also Exodus 20:5-6.

The word transgression means the violation of a law, command, or duty. In the Old Testament it usually referred to rebellion or revolt (See Psalms 32:1 for example). However, in the New Testament, it usually referred to a deliberate breach of the law. It is thought of as an image or instance of sin.

The word sin means lawlessness or transgression (rebellion) of God's will by omitting to do what He says to do or doing what God says we shouldn't do. Sin is more of an object or condition of the heart rather than a particular act, as transgression is thought to be. Transgression is actually then a sinful act or the manifestation of sin. The sin is rebellion and the rebellious act can be thought of as transgression.

Choosing gods other than the one true God separates us from His forgiveness. He will not cover us with His love and protection since we have removed ourselves from His holiness. Forgiveness can only come if we turn to God and away from sin. Even after God has blessed us, turning from Him will result in his wrath and our harm.

WE CHOOSE GOD

The people declared that they would serve the LORD. They seemed to understand the seriousness of the situation and still declared their allegiance to God.

AGAIN, PUT AWAY

Joshua still admonished them to remove the false gods from among them even though they said that they would serve the LORD. Again, they declared their loyalty to God.

THE MESSAGE

The main message here is to serve the LORD. Live a life of obedience to God. Do what God wants you to do and do not put anything before Him. It is your choice to obey the voice of God. It is your choice to serve the LORD. So choose God and choose life.

OTHER "GODS"

I thought it would be expedient to discuss briefly other or idol gods. What are other gods? What is an idol god? Other gods can best be described as objects of worship and adoration other than the one true God. This could be anything. Whom or what do you pledge your allegiance to-that is most likely your god. If your allegiance is to the one true God revealed in the Holy Bible then well. However, if it isn't then you are serving other gods.

Where or to whom do you turn when you feel depressed or worried? To whom do you turn to when you feel afraid or insecure? Whom do you ultimately trust and rely upon? The answer to these and similar questions will identify the true god in your life. For example, if you turn to alcohol when you feel depressed or worried then your god could be illusion (fantasy) or something similar. Your god is the escape of reality or a comfortable feeling (the alcohol is just a way to get you there).

These other gods can cause all sorts of problems in our lives. A husband may be distressed because of his failed marriage and have no one to turn to, or so he thinks. Before long he turns to the young lady at the office that seems to be interested in him. To him, she appears to care and she listens. Finally he has someone to talk to and help take away his pain. This is the classical situation that can lead to infidelity because the husband didn't turn to whom he should have. He didn't turn to God. He instead looked for another god, someone to confide in and love. He turned to another object. That object doesn't necessarily have to be another women or another man in the case of a wife. That object could have well been his companionship with his friends, which might lead to long lengths of times with the guys and away from his wife and family.

Other gods could be your job, pastor, church, or other high profile person. The point is that someone or something else has received your allegiance and dedication. You no longer serve the one true God. Now you serve your false god because, for the most part, it makes you feel better.

Serving God is a choice. We might not feel like doing it God's way sometimes. Furthermore, there are times when we simply want to do things in such a way that we get pleasure and satisfaction even though that particular way is wrong. Our decisions must therefore transcend our feelings and in many cases our situation. Many people are destroyed and dreams shattered because of an emotional decision. God has given us His word, which reveals His Way. Why not learn it and graft it into your heart and live your life according to His Way? Why not make the decision all of the time to do it right? I know. Easier said then done. However, it's only a choice so chose God's way and then your blessed journey can begin.

CONCLUSION

The purpose of this lesson is to make a simple point. All that we do and experience is the result of choices that we (or sometimes others) make. So it is to our best interest to serve God and none other! The consequences may be dire and hard but at least we have the comforting thought of knowing we did what God wanted by serving Him. Anything besides God that receives your worship and ultimate trust as a way of life and a mode of operation is most likely a god to you. Your comfort zone resides in another. The Old Testament scriptures liken this to adultery within the context of a relationship with God. Choose God.

We all have many decisions to make every day and some of those decisions have a major impact on the course of our lives. The situations that we will face and the current situations that we are in are due mostly to the choices that we have made. Therefore, serve God because it's only a choice. Rest in the fact that you have chosen to serve the LORD and have done so-So do it! Amen.