The Essential Tension
I have called the heavens and the earth as witnesses today against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore you shall choose life, so that you live, both you and your seed, to love YHWH your Elohim, to obey His voice, and to cling to Him . . . Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ISR
Choose – Ira Stone in commentary on Moses Luzzatto’s Mesillat Yesharim, observes: “As Ramchal [acronym for Moses Luzzatto] imagines it, human consciousness comprises both a yetzer ha-ra and a yetzer ha-tov, an inclination for evil and an inclination for good. Together, these define the meaning of being created in the image and likeness of God. The human condition exists in the tension between good and evil or . . . between the tension of action on behalf of the self or on behalf of another. Every human action is a result of this tension.”[1] This makes choice the most important characteristic of human existence. The verb bahar is the quintessential verb of being human. You and I are our choices. We exist in the nexus of deciding. We are always at the crossroad. Choice, every choice, results in directional repositioning. The life well-lived is a life of choices of obedience for a long time in the same direction.
Moses seems to have reflected this essential tension in his request for decision. Notice that he calls heaven and earth to be witnesses. That is typical 16th Century BC endorsement. The cosmos itself is a player on this stage. In the pagan past, the heavens and the earth, filled with gods, would act as judge and jury over the ensuing choices. Now Moses suggests that the fate of the cosmos is tied to the choices of human beings. God has so empowered human decision that His very creation hangs in the balance. Choice not only defines us. It is the most powerful force in the created world.
It’s also noteworthy that derivatives of the root bhr describe “young man,” “youth” and “chosen.” But Hebrew is not narcissistic. This is not a longing for youth. It is the recognition that young men are chosen for military service. Vigor and strength are to be put into the service of others, not to be idolized as perennial self-glorification.
Bahar paints the picture of “the house that separates (fences) the person.” Choice creates fences. Something chosen leaves other things rejected. Lines must be drawn. Doors closed. The Hebraic idea of choice is ultimately the idea of separation. You can’t have your cake and eat it too, at least not in God’s world. Choosing life automatically means rejecting death. Choosing God’s ways means forsaking all other ways. There is no middle ground here.
Moses’ appeal uses bahar in a verb tense that is active and complete (qal perfect). That means you do it. You don’t wait for God to somehow force you to choose or to choose for you. You must decide. And when you decide, the action is done, finished, terminated. “It is accomplished,” is Yeshua’s declaration that the choice is complete. So it must be for those who choose life. Vacillation, double-minded hesitation, is the enemy here. Reconsidering over and over is not choice. It is the failure to choose, and that failure has eternal, cosmic consequences. If you don’t feel the tension in your life, examine yourself! Animals have no essential tension, but every human being does.
Moses makes it clear. You and I cannot opt out without risking our humanity. We cannot sidestep the crosshairs of choosing without becoming creatures controlled by instinct. To be human is to decide between good and evil – continuously. There is no vacation from being human until all choosing has ended.
Topical Index: choose, bahar, Mesillat Yesharim, Luzzatto, Deuteronomy 30:19-20, human
[1] Ira F. Stone, commentary on Moses Luzzatto, Mesillat Yesharim, p. 1.
Hallelujah for the cross! -and for the “gift” of choice. How blessed we are by this gift from above, for God has given to every man, woman and child the gift of choice. ~ Choose you (Carl, Sally, Mary, Joe, Fred) “this day” (that would be today) “Who” you will serve..~ (Joshua 24.15) That “day” is day called “today.” The choices I will make today, and today I willingly-gladly-freely-fully make the choice to “follow Him.” I voluntarily (this is my choice) will love and choose to obey the LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ. (Love itself is a choice!)
I choose Him as my Savior. I choose Him as my Sovereign LORD. I choose Him as my Redeemer, my Rock, my Fortress, my Shield, my Strength, my Succor and my Song. He is LORD of the big and LORD of the small. LORD of the dead and LORD of the living. His words are true and trustworthy and He (right here-right now) is intricately and intimately involved (today) in His creation. Our Sovereign Savior is not an absentee landlord! Because of His never-failing mercies I am alive,- fully alive. Awake and aware. He has come that we might have life and have it more abundantly. How do I know this? (I’m glad you asked..)
It is written.
A long obedience in the same direction. Day by day by day- one day at a time. ( I tried living life two days at a time, but it didn’t work out so well..- seemed like it went by twice as fast..). No, today is a day unlike no other- and I have no clue what a day may bring forth. None. But here is where we may “rejoice always”- We know the “Day-Maker!” If only we were capable of paying attention.. Oh? We are? Good. Let’s try this again.. ~ This is the day which the LORD has made.. (and?)- Because this is the day which the LORD has made (our God who is always good)- “I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Our Sovereign Shepherd has a plan for every child who belongs to Him and it is good. ~ He does “all things” well ~ (Mark 7.37)
~ Trust in the LORD with all your heart..~ (Proverbs 3.5) Is this a choice? Absolutely it is. Trust in “Who?” The LORD. The ONE who made it all- the ONE who formed and fashioned me when I was still inside of my mother. The ONE who knows the end from the beginning, and the ONE who was crucified and made His choice to die in agony and blood upon the execution stake, the tslav, the cross of Calvary that we might have life and have it to the top and running over! (John 10.10) I choose Him- who is the Living Word of God.
(Revelation 19.13)
But wait… – there’s more! This is not the end of the story..- this is but the beginning! For every choice (every choice) is followed by what? A consequence. Good choices? -good consequences. (put down that jelly donut!) and bad choices? -not so good.. – ask Pharaoh about his choice not to obey. The second best question in our Bible: ~ Who is the LORD that I should obey Him? ~ (Exodus 5.2) Pharaoh found out- didn’t he..?
And what was the consequence of this, -his own choice? (the wages of sin is death) God gave him ten opportunities to believe and what did Pharaoh do? – There is a sin unto death and that sin is “unbelief”. We read this story and ask- how, after these “miracles” from our mighty God–how could Pharaoh not believe? These things were done “right before his eyes”- and yet.. Ten opportunities, Pharaoh,- to repent. But what did Pharaoh do? He hardened his heart. And again he (made the choice) to harden his heart. And again (he made the choice) to harden his heart- all the way to his own destruction. His choices cost him his own life. There is a sin that leads unto death- (1 John 5.16) and that (one) sin is unbelief.
Amazing isn’t it? We have to choose- not to believe. (Some are “willingly ignorant!”) We are always one choice away from Him. Abraham chose to obey God- and the consequence of his obedience? (always blessing..) Yeshua was the most obedient Man ever to have lived..- and the consequence of his obedience? (even though it led to the cross).. blessing and honor and glory and power! Hallelujah for His willingness, the life-giving choice our Savior made to say, “not my will, but Yours be done”- What you want Father, I will do, and He drank the bitter cup. What was in that cup He drank? Every sin since Adam.. my own included.
Today, I have choices to make. Constant multiplied choices. How will I spend my time? Where will I invest my treasure? What will I be thinking about today and allowing to enter my mind? Will I choose love as a lifestyle this day? Will I love the LORD my Elohim with all my heart-soul-mind and strength- and will I love my neighbor as myself? Many questions-with one answer. “Yes LORD”. I’ll say yes!
Oh friend! – when we say yes to Him.. When God has our “yes.” When He has our voluntary full surrender- when we make the blessed, blessed choice to “follow Him” (Who is the Way!) what will be the “consequence” of this “choice of a lifetime?” Believing is seeing..
I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
-He lives within my heart!
In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary,
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading,
Through all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing
Will come at last.
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ our King!
The Hope of all who seek Him,
The Help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
-So good and kind.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
-He lives within my heart!
~ if you confess with your mouth Jesus as LORD, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved ~ for with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
~ For in scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame ~ (1 Peter 2:6)
~For “whosoever” shall call upon the Name of the LORD shall be saved ~ (Romans 10.13)
What was the confession, the words of Peter that greatly pleased our Savior?
~ Shimeon Kaypha answered, “You are The Messiah, The Son of THE LIVING GOD” ~ (Matthew 16.16)
~ I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn ~
(Zechariah 12.10)
~ and immediately the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, LORD, I believe; help my unbelief ~ (Mark 9.24)
So,- what is it then? The free will of man or the Sovereignty of God?- The answer (again) is amein!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqtwZWvXux8&feature=fvwrel
So,- what is it then? The free will of man or the Sovereignty of God?- The answer (again) is amein!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqtwZWvXux8&feature=fvwrel
Skip,
This post totally nails my recovery journey from the depths of addiction. In my mid twenties I prayed that God would stop the generational sin in my family with me, that He would do something in me that would set my children free. That is when He opened my eyes to the reality of my life and showed me the depth of my despair as a result of my own choices. It was a devastating revelation that took me a full five years to accept before the denial could be broken and I could begin the journey of allowing God through others guide me in the direction of moment-by-moment recognizing the choice before me and have the present awareness to freely make my choice. I obviously don’t make the right choice every time, but I am starting to bear the weight of the awareness that all of my choices carry great consequences so, in the words of the great Grail Knight speaking to Indiana Jones, “But choose wisely, for while the true Grail will bring you life, the false Grail will take it from you. ”
I am trusting that as I continue to bear the weight of the awareness of the consequences of my choices and choose blessing rather than curse, both I and my seed (trusting the Lord to give us children) will live. And choosing blessing does not mean a life free from pain and heartache, but it does mean life and life to it’s fullest!
Here, I think, is a worthy tension: the clock tics, roughly 100 people die every minute, or 146,000 people worldwide –so the internet tells me — how many have peace with God? How many are separated from Him? Without concern for the lost and dying, what can it mean to have ‘inclination for good’. Without concern for others we’re nothing like Jesus. Nothing remotely . . . nothing at all.
“Without concern for the lost and dying, what can it mean to have ‘inclination for good’. Without concern for others we’re nothing like Jesus. Nothing remotely . . . nothing at all.”
Then I suppose we better be about the buisness of living a life that draws those around us to God!! What does that mean Dorothy, telling them that Jesus died for their sin, or living like He died for mine.
Or both!!
Are you familiar with the poems by Amy Carmichael, missionary to India, Dohnavur Fellowship
Calvary’s Love
If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting “Who made thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou hast not received?” then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I find myself taking lapses for granted, “Oh, that’s what they always do,” “Oh, of course she talks like that, he acts like that,” then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I do not feel far more for the grieved Savior than for my worried self when troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I can rebuke without a pang, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If my attitude be one of fear, not faith, about one who has disappointed me; if I say, “Just what I expected” if a fall occurs, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, “You do not understand,” or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other’s highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I am content to heal a hurt slightly, saying “Peace, peace,” where there is no peace; if I forget the poignant word “Let love be without dissimulation” and blunt the edge of truth, speaking not right things but smooth things, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I hold on to choices of any kind, just because they are my choice, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I am soft to myself and slide comfortably into self-pity and self-sympathy; If I do not by the grace of God practice fortitude, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve round myself, if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have “a heart at leisure from itself,” then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If, the moment I am conscious of the shadow of self crossing my threshold, I do not shut the door, and keep that door shut, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I cannot in honest happiness take the second place (or the twentieth); if I cannot take the first without making a fuss about my unworthiness, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I take offense easily, if I am content to continue in a cool unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I feel injured when another lays to my charge things that I know not, forgetting that my sinless Savior trod this path to the end, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I feel bitter toward those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly, forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I crave hungrily to be used to show the way of liberty to a soul in bondage, instead of caring only that it be delivered; if I nurse my disappointment when I fail, instead of asking that to another the word of release may be given, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I do not forget about such a trifle as personal success, so that it never crosses my mind, or if it does, is never given room there; if the cup of flattery tastes sweet to me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If in the fellowship of service I seek to attach a friend to myself, so that others are caused to feel unwanted; if my friendships do not draw others deeper in, but are ungenerous (to myself, for myself), then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I refuse to allow one who is dear to me to suffer for the sake of Christ, if I do not see such suffering as the greatest honor that can be offered to any follower of the Crucified, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone, making myself the first necessity to a soul instead of leading it to fasten upon Him, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If my interest in the work of others is cool; if I think in terms of my own special work; if the burdens of others are not my burdens too, and their joys mine, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I wonder why something trying is allowed, and press for prayer that it may be removed; if I cannot be trusted with any disappointment, and cannot go on in peace under any mystery, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If the ultimate, the hardest, cannot be asked of me; if my fellows hesitate to ask it and turn to someone else, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
That which I know not, teach Thou me, O Lord, my God.
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“It is a safe thing to trust Him to fulfill the desires which He creates” — Amy Carmichael
“Can we follow the Savior far, who have no wound or scar? ” — Amy Carmichael
Dorothy, Thanks for sharing this poem. My only thought was it was too harsh in its judgement. The phrase “then I know nothing of Calvary love” which follows each of the 28 conditional ifs is too strong. I know it’s a poem and it was her opinion, but I kept thinking what if you met 12 or even 27 of the 28 and failed in one would that mean you know NOTHING of Calvary love? I would have said something like you are not walking in Calvary love or manifesting Calvary love at this particular point. But maybe I say this because I only found 2, possibly 3, that I passed her litmus test. Do I still need the work of Calvary in my life, yes, does that mean I know nothing of the work of the cross-no, I know that is not true. Just an observation, but still thanks for sharing. It went onto my saved file, as did Skip’s message. It was to both Arnella and myself one of Skip’s most profound messages; one that hits the target and yet still offers the hope of redemption of both our past and our future choices by a Sovereign Elohim. He knew our poor choices, including the ones that rejected and denied Him, yet He still loved us and sent His Son to die for us-and our poor choices/sin. Michael
Thank you for your response and testimony. I like to hear all testimonies, they are beneficial to all of us. People ought to just go ahead and testify and let God use it –if and how– He will.
I’m happy God used this TW to mend some rips in your soul, (I speak of you and Arnella as one). Yes, that’s His trademark! Ever loving, He is about His beautiful housekeeping/home improvement work of the heart — and that without ceasing.
I wish it were possible to find stats on God’s healing ministry for one day around the globe. It would be impressive!!!
It is indeed difficult to wrap our minds around the fact that God is able to raise a mere human being to such thoughts–to peer over the edges of His ways–as Amy Carmichael reveals in her poems and many missionary books. At first its hard not to classify them as harsh for they are so unlike what we find in our own hearts. God has used them to inspire others to give their lives wholly to Him, His plans, will, and way. It is really awesome that God will do with one short, surrendered human life!
With a smile, … I challenge you to read a few.
She served in India for 55 years without furlough, — sincerely gave her life and reserved no part of it for her own use, — she wore Indian dress, stained her skin with dark coffee, rescued children from temple prostitution, and wrote many books about the missionary work there.
When she died (as we say) they interviewed the compound and those she had worked closely with thru the long years, difficulties, illnesses, difficulties, shortages, and heat. Everyone had such tender things to say about her, it was asked if there wasn’t one bad thing to be said at all. Finally one man volunteered, “Well,” he said, “She had one fault. She always thought everyone was better than they were.”
Dorothy, I just “stole”.. er “borrowed” this marvelous testimony by Amy Carmichael. And Michael, these were the convictions of Amy Carmichael- not mine-not yours, for you see, our relationship with Jesus (who is the Christ) is personal. I know Him, but I do not Him like this. I, myself, have a “ways to go.” I have miles to go before I sleep. There is shallow water and there is deep- stay close to the shore and you will never know the depths.
Every relationship, (and Hallelujah – Christianity is a relationship of friendship!) has levels and layers. I can say this; I love Him more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow- for this (blood-covenant) relationship of Friendship is growing. I am growing deeper into my faith, loving Him more with each passing day, and praying daily I will not be blind to my (daily) blessings.
We read in Isaiah, “without a vision the people perish.” I would (very dangerous territory here..) slightly modify this to read: “without vison the people perish.” Why? (I’m glad you asked..)
So much of scripture is about the blind receiving their sight. “See” my point? Have you ever had an (what I call) an “aha” moment? Ohh..- I “get it” now.. I understand- I “see”..
I have never physically laid my eyes upon Jesus, but “what do the scriptures say?” – ~Whom having not seen, we love…~. I love Someone I’ve never seen. His Name is Jesus and He is the Living Son of God and He is God the Living Son. Son of God and son of man. Both. His Name (according to the Book God wrote) is “the (living) Word of God.”
Here we have but a “glimpse of glory”- just a sneak peek.. ~ Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for He judges fairly and wages a righteous war and His eyes were like flames of fire, and many diadems were upon His head and He had The Name written, which no one knew but He alone. (B”H) And He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God ~ Revelation 19.10-13
~ And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself ~ (Luke 24.27)
Now I’m no rocket scientist, neither do I play one on tv, but it seems to me, (I might be mistaken), Christ is the center, the compass and the circumference, the chosen,sent, perfect, sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
The promised Messiah has come and we may know Him. His words are these: ~Yeshua said to him, “All this time I AM with you and you have not known me Phillip? Whoever has seen me has seen The Father, and how do you say, ‘Show us The Father’?” ~ (John 14.9)
~ And we know that The Son of God has come and he has given us a mind to know The True One and to be in The True One- in his Son, Yeshua The Messiah. This One is The True God and The Life Eternal ~
(1 John 5.20)
~ For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body ~ (Colossians 2.9)
What do may I conclude from all this? ~Who is this King of glory?~
God became a man. The Word became flesh and lived among us. He ate the very food He created, breathed the air He made, walked upon this very earth as the second Adam, the son of man. It’s a long way from Deity to humanity, but He made the journey and entered this world through the portals of a virgin’s womb, the Bread of life born in the city of bread, Bethlehem. The Word became flesh (open the eyes of my heart, LORD) and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, (open the eyes of my heart LORD) the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth ~