Credit: rosipaw/Flickr/Creative Commons

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT)

I love this scripture and the promise it holds. I can hear God’s heart cry, ‘Oh, that you would choose life.’ It seems to present a logical choice as well. Of course I want life and blessings and not death and curses.

But this scripture is not just a casual statement. God wants me to choose Him first in all things.

But how can I do this when I am prone to go my own way and make my own choices?

I can identify with the following scripture:

I know that in me, that is, in my human fallen nature, there is nothing good, I can will myself to do something good but that does not help me carry it out. (Romans 7:18 Voice)

It seems for me to want to choose his ways, what I really need is a transformed heart. I can’t even ‘choose life’ without first having a changed heart. Only through God’s grace, as I continue to turn to him will I really be changed.

Choosing life consistently then becomes the fruit of allowing God to work in my heart. The question is, will I allow him to change me? If I do, the fruit will follow:

I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NIV)