29th October 2026

We are free moral agents and have to make many choices throughout life. The Israelites were given the choice of life or death, blessings or curses. Unfortunately, they made the wrong choices, resulting in pain, suffering and death. Their experience is a lesson for us today: what are we going to choose, life or death?

Israel had Moses to lead them; today Christians have Jesus Christ to lead us. The writer of Hebrews tells us: ‘…Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses…Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant…but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son And we are his house…’ (Hebrews‬ 3‬: 3‬, 5, and 6 ESV). 

‬‬Today, we have the choice of living either in the realm of the flesh or in the realm of the Spirit. To live in the realm of the flesh will result in the same pain, suffering, and death experienced by the Israelites. Paul reminds us that: ‘Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.’ (Romans 8‬: 8 NIVUK‬)‬‬.

To live in the realm of the Spirit is life and peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace; choosing to follow him will take us into a glorious new life. We may face various trials on that journey, but those trials contribute to our growth and maturity so we are conformed into the image of Jesus Christ. Israel complained to Moses about the trials they encountered. We, on the other hand, are not to complain – ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’ (James 1: 2-4). And the apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesian church wrote in a similar way about ‘the body of Christ [the church]’:  ‘…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.’ (Ephesians 4:13).

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Let us choose life, and choose Jesus Christ.  

Local congregation:
Grace Communion in Lewes
The House of Friendship
208 High Street
Lewes BN7 2NS

Meeting time:
Sunday 11:00 am 

Local congregational contact:
Hilary Buck
Email:  lewes@gracecom.church
Like us on www.facebook.com/Grace Communion Lewes 

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church