It’s Your Choice

As Joshua was nearing the end of his life, he gathered the children of Israel together at Shechem. And there, from the lips of a man who was close to death, came an appeal that throughout the centuries has moved the hearts of many. Joshua said, “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

This challenge, viewed in the light of the New Testament, suggests three outstanding lessons in regard to our salvation.

First, we must make a choice between God and the devil. To refuse Christ leaves us automatically on the devil’s side. Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me” (Matthew 12:30).

Second, this choice is a personal matter. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be born again and made a child of God. But we must do the believing for ourselves. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:18).

Third, there is an urgency in this charge. “Choose this day,” not next month, not a week from today, not tomorrow, but this day.

Have you made that all-important choice? Have you trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior? If not, do so right now! The choice is yours.

—Richard DeHaan, Our Daily Bread