Choices Have Consequences

Chuckle: A minister asked a group of children why they loved God. After several answers, one little boy said, "Sir. I guess it just runs in our family."

Quote: “God’s love for us is constant and will not diminish, but he cannot rescue us from the painful results caused by wrong choices.” --Marvin J. Ashton 

"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 NIV).

I remember an old 1950's television show called "Truth or Consequences." Contestants were asked silly trick questions which they almost never answered correctly. The host then told them that since they had failed to tell the truth, they would have to pay the consequences. The consequences were often embarrassing and humiliating -- all in good fun of course.

Unfortunately, there is nothing humorous about making bad choices in life which can have serious consequences. It is a natural law to reap what one sows, and it is true in all areas of life. In the same way that a crop is harvested from a seed placed in the ground, every choice you make in life will reap its consequences. If you do not know Christ as Savior, each time you make a choice not to accept Him, you risk eternal consequences. ". . . . how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?"  (Hebrews 2:3 NIV).

If you are a born again Christian, you will want to make choices that please God and bless others. However, sometimes we will make wrong choices resulting in sin. When this happens we must quickly confess our sins to God with an attitude of genuine repentance and receive forgiveness and cleansing (I John 1:9). But God's forgiveness does not always mean the consequences of our actions are removed.

I'm reminded of King David who committed the sins of adultery and murder. God forgave him and used him mightily, but the consequences of David's choices (sins) brought much pain and disappointment to him and his family throughout his life. As a genuine born again Christian, you will never lose your salvation, but your bad choices can certainly bring pain to you and others close to you. Also, wrong choices in service to your Lord can result in your missing out on the joy and other rewards God wants to give you. "If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire" (I Corinthians 3:15 NIV).

Right choices will bring God's blessings and rewards. When we trust Christ as Lord and Savior, we have God's promise of eternal life and the best possible life here on earth. If we make the right choices as Christians, God will reward us. If not, we forfeit those rewards. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse