You might have seen a plaque or poster in a home with the quote from Joshua: “As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” There is a novel, devotional books and videos with the same theme. Making one’s option for God certainly seems like a good thing to do. However, what is often overlooked is the caution with which Joshua challenges the people. “You may not be able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God.” As Pastor Bonhoeffer reminded us, simply saying you’re going to do something is “cheap grace.” Talking the talk is easy, walking the walk is hard. Our household truly serves the Lord when we forgive seventy-times seven times, when we feed the hungry and welcome the stranger because we see in them the face of Christ, when we don’t hold onto grudges but turn the other cheek, when we love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
