Quite often we do not like to make choices. The reason is that making a choice commits us to a course of action. If we do this, we cannot do that. We would rather keep our options open.
Another reason we hesitate to make choices is that it opens us up to criticism. There will always be someone who does not agree with the decision we made. We don’t want to disappoint them. Even worse, we are afraid they might oppose us or even ridicule us.
This is particularly true when it comes to making choices and decisions about our faith. To choose one way is to exclude other paths. If we get serious about our faith we run the risk of being labeled a fanatic or a heretic by those who do not agree with us. We want to get along with everyone. We want to live and let live. We want to be just religious enough to make God happy but not enough to make anyone else unhappy with us. King Solomon expressed the attitude of many people when he wrote, “Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise – why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool – why die before your time?” (Ecclesiastes 7:16-17 NIV)
But can we really go through life without committing ourselves? Can we really please God by just trying to be a good person? Is it possible to be just righteous enough to get to heaven but not enough to alienate those around us? Can we worship God and still have the same values as those who do not?
No, we must make a definite choice. Just before his death, Joshua told the Israelite people, “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14-15 NIV)
Suppose, like Joshua, we choose to serve the Lord. Is it possible to be a follower of Christ and still live like the rest of the world?
Jesus did not think so. He wants us to make another definite choice. He wants us to choose Him not only in name, but to fully commit ourselves to Him. He said, “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.” (Luke 11:23 NIV) He also had this message for the people in the church at Laodicea, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16 NIV)
The choices are before us: To choose to follow Christ or not. To be fully committed or not. To be hot or cold. What is our decision?