"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." — Joshua 24:15
I’ve chosen this verse to show that we always have a choice: to follow the Lord in obedience, or to turn away. The "gods" people follow today are rarely the carved statues of the ancient Near East. Today, our idols are more insidious. They aren't fashioned from wood or stone; they are "pseudo-gods" like fame, wealth, and addiction—things people look to for security rather than Jesus. These modern substitutes are powerless to provide what the soul truly needs. They are cheap, foolish imitations of a real relationship with God.
We must examine our own hearts to discern what we are actually obeying. Biblical obedience is drawn from a heart that loves God above all else. In contrast, worldly obedience flows from a heart that loves "things" more than the Creator. It is a simple but revealing test: If we love money, we will serve it. If we love the addictions that enslave us, we will serve them. If we love ourselves, we will serve our own interests. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." The truth is clear: we serve what we love.
Obedience is born from love. Because God is love, He never coerces us; love is only real when it is a choice. When we choose to make decisions that harmonize with His character and His holiness, we are demonstrating authentic love for God. This cannot be faked. It is self-evident in the fruit our decisions produce.
So let us demonstrate our love for God by the way we choose to obey. This is our living testimony—what Paul means when he tells us to live a life worthy of our calling. We choose to serve the Lord because we love Him.
I’ve chosen this verse to show that we always have a choice: to follow the Lord in obedience, or to turn away. The "gods" people follow today are rarely the carved statues of the ancient Near East. Today, our idols are more insidious. They aren't fashioned from wood or stone; they are "pseudo-gods" like fame, wealth, and addiction—things people look to for security rather than Jesus. These modern substitutes are powerless to provide what the soul truly needs. They are cheap, foolish imitations of a real relationship with God.
We must examine our own hearts to discern what we are actually obeying. Biblical obedience is drawn from a heart that loves God above all else. In contrast, worldly obedience flows from a heart that loves "things" more than the Creator. It is a simple but revealing test: If we love money, we will serve it. If we love the addictions that enslave us, we will serve them. If we love ourselves, we will serve our own interests. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." The truth is clear: we serve what we love.
Obedience is born from love. Because God is love, He never coerces us; love is only real when it is a choice. When we choose to make decisions that harmonize with His character and His holiness, we are demonstrating authentic love for God. This cannot be faked. It is self-evident in the fruit our decisions produce.
So let us demonstrate our love for God by the way we choose to obey. This is our living testimony—what Paul means when he tells us to live a life worthy of our calling. We choose to serve the Lord because we love Him.
