Consequences

We are the sum of our choices. Although we don't choose our parents, we do choose how we treat them. Everything else in our lives depends on choices we make - and their consequences. We are responsible for those choices. When we want changes, we have choices to make - and consequences occur. Moses was very aware of this:

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV)

In surrounding verses, Moses prophesied the future, anticipating both the blessing and the curse would come upon the people according to their obedient faithfulness to their obedience to God's Law, or whether disobedient and unfaithful. The next generation spoke of that same choice making it very personal:

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15 KJV)

Our nation has given us many more choices – we may marry anyone we wish, or we can live without marriage with anyone we wish. We may bear children, or we can discard them before or after birth. The family unit consists of a variety of ex-spouses dividing children’s time with or without rancor and or bitterness. There is no “mental illness” to be treated for the safety of others – until tragedy occurs, then blame is placed elsewhere, not on an individual’s choices.

Laws are written, publicly distributed, but the choice of following them or not is a personal decision. Doubt that? Our own president determines which laws will be enforced, and which do not suit him and will be ignored. Ignorance of the law has ceased to be a lack of defense and has become a part of the logic of personal freedom.

We’ve allowed choices to be made for us, and we are living with the consequences. Instead of seeing more choices before us, we live in despair, seeing only consequences.

I ask that you consider the consequences of making the choice to seek and serve God:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)

We are never without the choice of serving God. We make that choice every day as we awaken. The Bible tells us what is necessary and prayer opens opportunities for us to know what He has for us to do.

What are the consequences for serving Him? Sometimes they appear much less than a reward, thinking of a young Christian woman who gave birth in prison because she would not deny her lord and savior. Or, Christ’s disciples, who died for their belief in His deity. For most of us, not so much. We may face some laughter, some derision, a few who turn aside from us. Long term? We have it made:

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:11-13 KJV)