The more I read scripture, the more I see a theme of opposite polarities. The ‘simplicity’ of 2. 

As the rainbow header photo for this site illustrates the themes consistent throughout Scripture, this is one of them. (See ‘the rainbow’ page for full explanation)

2 choices…2 outcomes. 

I preface by acknowledging the complexities of this God-made universe are beyond counting or comprehension. The human nature is a myriad of these. Heroes of the faith even have glaring inconsistencies in their lives. Yet, it’s interesting to see how God categorizes them in the end. As faithful. (Hebrews 11) The world is not black and white, there is so much color and shading in between. Yet, God in the Scriptures so often communicates in a very binary theme. A theme of 2 choices.

“For our learning” (Romans 15:4)

“For our instruction” (2 Timothy 3:16) 

For our “equipping to do the good works He’s prepared for us” (Ephesians 2:10)

“For teaching, correcting, completing, training in how to be right in HIs eyes.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

I want to highlight some of these examples that have caught my heart lately. I think there’s a lot here, that I certainly don’t fully understand yet. But, they’re there for a reason. I can’t ignore them. And I want to simmer in them so to speak. And let them cook out their flavor in me. 

In the book of Deuteronomy God has given Moses words to speak to His people. These are included in Moses’ last instructions to the children of Israel before he dies. Later, Joshua gives the same directives just before the people go into the promised land. These instructions, outline the outcomes of obeying God–life and the outcomes of disobeying God—death. And then urges ‘choose life!!’ (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)

Life and death/blessing and curse

Prophets throughout the Old Testament, speak God’s words to the people. Warning Israel , if they turn away from God, the discipline that will come to them. Or if they listen to God and do what He says, the blessings that will come. With the pleading with them to seek God, repent and obey Him. 

Discipline or blessing

Through the book of Proverbs, there is the constant thread of language using, the ‘wise man’ and the ‘fool.’ They include the distinct characteristics of each, and their distinct outcomes. 

Wise man or fool

Jesus taught that there are 2 options. There is a Narrow Gate and a Wide path. That He is the narrow gate and walking through Him leads to life. That the wide path of all the other options in this world leads to destruction. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Narrow gate or wide path—life or destruction 

In the context of warning of false prophets, Jesus also classified trees as good or bad. But how many of us feel like a mix of good fruit and bad fruit? But Jesus said, “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” “Trees that do not bear good fruit are cut down and thrown out.” (Matthew 7:15-19) 

Good tree or bad tree–Useful or thrown out (ouch!)

Throughout the Old and New Testaments the use of “light” vs “darkness” is used numerous times. That is a whole study of its own 🙂

Jesus also communicated in this polarized way. He ended the extended instructions in the “Sermon on the Mount” with this analogy. 

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is build on a rock foundation. But anyone who hearts my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

Do what He says—wise—won’t collapse Do not do what He says—foolish—will collapse

Jesus defined love for Him pretty narrowly. 

“If you love Me, obey Me.” (John 14)

He defined love as not just a feeling, but a belief that commits and trusts to the degree that we will do what He says. Because we trust His care and best for us. 

Obey/love or disobey/not loving

Jesus urges His followers to be salty and useful/flavorful, and not saltless and useless.

He also says we can’t serve two masters. We will only truly love one of them.

Jesus talks much of the end of the time of earth. His return, the ‘Day of the Lord.’ That there will be a gathering of all and a sorting into two categories. For “eternal life” and reward or “eternal punishment.”

Wheat or chaff (Luke 3:17)

Wicked or righteous (Matthew 13:47-50)

Sheep or goats (Matthew 25:31-46)

Paul writes to the church in Galatia. He says that there is an internal struggle in those who are Christ’s. We have a human sin nature and we have the Holy Spirit residing in us. He writes, when we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, we won’t do the things that the sinful nature/flesh/humanness is wanting to do. (Galatians 5)

Led of the Holy Spirit or the sinful nature.

Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your old way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, LET THE SPIRIT renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” (Ephesians 4:21-24) Such an interesting word picture of clothing. Taking off old clothes, putting on new ones.

Old sinful nature or new God-like nature

In the letter James writes, about fresh water vs salt water, that they can’t flow from the same stream. (James 3:9-12)

There are many contrasts between pride and humility throughout scripture. Two very different outcomes.

Pride–God pushing against us or humility–God helping us

In Revelation 3, the revelation of Jesus to the church of Laodicea, Jesus says, ‘“I wish you were hot or cold, but because you’re lukewarm, I am ready to spit you out of my mouth.” He’s indicating the distaste for compromise in between. He’s urging them to turn and repent. Because, He loves them and wants to be close to them. He wants them to experience being useful. He wants them to have the ‘riches of refined gold and white garments.”

Hot or cold, not in between

Again in Revelation, Jesus explains what will happen at the end of time, when all is judged at the great white throne. It says all whose names are written in the Book of Life will enter the New Jerusalem, the holy city, where God lives. It says all things will be made new, that it will be full of light and His glory will be its light. That in this city, there will be no more tears, or sorrow, or pain. But any whose names are not in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire that was designed for Satan and his demons. (Revelation 20:11-15)

New Jerusalem or lake of fire

Ok enough already!!! We get it:) …sort of

This theme of communicating in a 2-choice manner, is a constant thread from cover to cover of the Bible. These examples are a very small sampling. If the Scriptures are truly God-breathed, He must have a good reason for communicating in such a ‘black and white” way. He must have good reason for giving these illustrations in the way He did. Why did He do this?

We know that His very nature is love. We know that all He wants is good for us. That all He wants is close and intimate relationship with us. For us to trust Him. We see throughout Scripture He uses the language of marriage with His people. He is the faithful husband who longs to be the only love that His wife has. He longs to not share her with other lovers. ‘It’s Me, or them.’ We also know He is holy. That He, by the nature of who He is, cannot be in the same presence of what is not holy—us. We know that He laid down His very life, sacrificing what was most beloved to Him, HIs son Jesus, to be closest to what is dearest to Him—us. To give us choice to choose Him and no longer be slaves to our sinful nature. To be covered by His blood and atoned for. To be holy. To have the power to live lives that are holy. 

He’s done it all.

Literally offering to us everything we need. We will never be perfect in this life here on earth, meaning sinless. But He is extending HIs hand to us. Another theme cover to cover in Scripture, is the thread of forgiveness, grace, and redemption for any who turn.

Will we take HIs hand and walk with Him? And only Him?

Like many ‘heroes of the faith’ who’ve gone before us, we have inconsistencies. But despite this, will we be counted as faithful.

Which way will we choose?