THE CONSEQUENCES
OF OUR CHOICES

By Jay Pearson

 

Life’s journey would be a whole lot smoother if we would consider the consequence of our choices before we act. Our life’s maintenance has always been a matter of choice since God created and placed man in the Garden of Eden and gave him this commandment.

Genesis 2:16–17:
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

The consequence of Adam’s choice is with us today. Consequence is the result of a choice. It is not a variable, it is a constant. The wages of sin is death. This is the Word of God. God warned man of the consequence of sin before man sinned. God is just.

Romans 5:12:
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Thankfully, God is also merciful and gracious. God did not negate the consequence. God’s Word is truth. But God did however provide a savior for mankind, Jesus Christ the righteous. God gave us another choice. By Jesus Christ, the one and only savior, man could be saved.

Romans 5:15–17:
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

The consequence of Adam’s choice in Genesis 2:16–17 has not changed. Unless man chooses to accept Jesus Christ as Lord, he is dead.

The consequences of our choices live far beyond the moment. Consequences affect not only the one making the choice, but also families, friends, acquaintances, and the Body of Christ. You can’t change a consequence by saying "I’m sorry." This is why it is so important to consider our ways. Consider before you choose.

Haggai 1:7 (emphasis added):
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

Isaiah 1:3 (emphasis added):
The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

Galatians 6:1 (emphasis added):
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

You need to consider the consequence of your choice before you choose. How will it affect your life and the life of others? Ask yourself, "Is this what the Lord is leading me to do?"

We have an internal resource library. We have a conscience, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, angels, faith, trust, and direct communication with the Father and the Son. We need only to ask and actually LISTEN for the answer with a heart to obey.

Our environment offers many different choices. Where we choose to spend our time will offer us more or less temptations.

Ephesians 5:15–16:
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Proverbs 22:3:
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

The devil in an opportunist, waiting to maneuver and manipulate whoever he can. He is poised at the door of our vulnerability to steal, kill, and destroy our fellowship with the Lord and ultimately, our lives.

1 Peter 5:8:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Ephesians 6:13:
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Many things influence our choices: desire to please others, deception, falsehood, truth, compassion, righteousness, zeal, honor, dishonor, and one’s own lust. Consider the source of the influence and the outcome of the choice. In the end, you are responsible.

James 1:14:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Moses left us a good example of considering one’s ways and making a good choice.

Hebrews 11:24–26:
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

The consequence of Adam’s choice is with us today. The consequence of Jesus Christ’s choice is also with us.

Matthew 26:39, 42, 44:
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

42: He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

44: And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

The first Adam left all men with a consequence of his choice. Praise God the second Adam, Jesus Christ the righteous, left us with the consequence of his choice. The consequence of his choice offers salvation to mankind.

Romans 5:18:
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

We must consider our ways and the effect they will have on our lives now and when we stand before the Lord. We must consider the consequences of our choices that affect not only us but our spouses, our children, the Body of Christ and those who will come to the Lord through his call and our example. May we all stand before the Lord with great joy and expectation and hear, "Well done good and faithful servant."

 

 

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From the February 2010 issue of The Vine & Branches