UNSEEN Consequences of SIN

"If God's ways are so beneficial, why doesn't everyone follow them all the time?"

The problem is that the consequences?the end result?of many of our choices may not be obvious enough at first for us to recognize how damaging they'll be in the long run. We could avoid many pitfalls if only we would first learn what God teaches and then trust Him enough to follow His advice.

God has given us the freedom to choose the path we wish to walk! He urges us to choose the right path?but He won't make that choice for us.

"See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the Lord your God may bless you . . ." (Deuteronomy 30:15-16).

But He doesn't force us to live that way. If we refuse to follow His advice, the Bible reveals that we will surely have to face the consequences: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life" (Galatians 6:7-8, NIV). God is concerned primarily with the ultimate outcome of our life.

In the short term, ignoring His instructions may seem the easiest and most enjoyable way to live (especially in a society duped by man's adversary, the devil?Revelation 12:9). But not in the long run. That is why believing and trusting God is so crucial.

"By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward" (Hebrews 11:24-26).

Those passing pleasures of sin can be very tempting. As the psalmist wrote: "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked . . . They are free from the burdens common to man . . . They say, 'How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?'

"This is what the wicked are like?always carefree, they increase in wealth. Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning . . . When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny" (Psalm 73:2-17, NIV).

It is our "final destiny" that counts. God wants us to see beyond today? to take the time to reevaluate the way we live. We all have stepped off the path that God tells us to walk: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Jesus Christ came to help us get back on the right path?for our own good.

We all need to reevaluate where we are in our relationship with God and correct our course. "For 'He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it'" (1 Peter 3:10-11).

God wants us to not be so foolish. So by the hand of James He sends us this advice: "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

"Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death" (James 1:12-15, NASB).

Why is sin so bad? It leads to a short, painful, temporary life compared to the eternal life God wants to give each of us.

In our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Waqar Daniel