Refuse and Choose
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:24-25).
All of a sudden Moses turned his back upon what had claimed him, charmed him, and allured him. What was the reason? Scripture says, “By faith.” Faith is the principle that links the soul with God. It is that mighty principle which sees beyond the things of time, and looks right into eternity. I wish that you, too, would take a deep long look right into eternity! For although you are here today, you cannot tell how soon you will be in eternity. It lies before you, just as Moses knew it lay before him.
Moses was able to give up the present, in view of the future. By faith he laid hold on that which was revealed to his soul—the things of God and of eternity. By faith he refused that which was unsatisfactory. By faith he chose to keep company with the children of God. He was not ashamed to be found among God’s people. The man who suffers for Christ has no need to be ashamed. The early disciples rejoiced “that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41).
The lost sinner has more than enough shame headed his way. He may have the pleasures of sin in this life, but the pains, penalties, and consequences of sin will be for eternity. Sin is a terrible thing. It separated man from God at the beginning, and if sin is not dealt with, it will separate him from God forever. The person who chooses the pleasures of sin rather than God’s pleasures is not wise. The Psalmist truly said, “In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). And who may have them? You may have them right now, if through grace you are led to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is written that Jesus “once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). To me, the profound sufferings of the Savior are an absolutely conclusive proof of the inevitable sufferings of the person who goes into eternity in his sins. Anyone who passes into eternity in an unsaved, unconverted, unforgiven, unbelieving state has made their choice with eyes wide open, for God has spoken plainly through His word and through His Son.
There was great energy in Moses’ faith. We read, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). Moses had his eyes on God. He knew God. The Christian knows God as his Father, and the Son of God as his Savior. The sinner who trusts in Jesus knows his sins are forgiven. “To Him [Jesus Christ] give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43).
Next we read about Moses, “Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood” (Hebrews 11:28). God had told Moses that the blood of the Passover lamb must be applied to each house in order to secure redemption, in order to be sheltered from the righteous judgment of God (Exodus 12:13). You must imitate Moses if you want salvation. You must, by faith, put the blood of Jesus between your guilty soul and God. There must be a personal application of the truth. You must receive it for yourself. Will you receive it right now by turning to God and putting your trust in Jesus Christ? “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
—W. T. P. Wolston, condensed