Another Year of Choices
By Barbara Dahlgren
Since our past, present, and future sins have all been forgiven, some Christians think they can get away with sin. After all, when God forgives He “remembers our sins no more…” (Hebrews 8:12; 10: 17). That is true, but although God forgives, He doesn’t magically wipe out the consequences of our actions. He has set a law in motion called cause and effect. In biblical terminology it means we reap what we sow.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:7-9)
We may choose to ignore this fact, but in our hearts we know it’s true. While reaping and sowing are agricultural terms, a more modern way to say it might be…
- What goes around comes around.
- Things come back to haunt you.
- Your sins will find you out. (Numbers 32:33)
- You play; you pay.
Some may put off participating in a relationship with Christ feeling they want time to “sow their wild oats.” After all, won’t God forgive us? Yes, He will. He will forgive us for our sins, but there is an aftermath. Sin is like driving a nail through your hand. Forgiveness pulls the nail out and allows healing, but it doesn’t take away the pain or the scar that remains.
As the old saying goes: Sin will take you farther than you want to go, cost you more than you want to pay, and keep you longer than you want to stay,
The reaping what you sow principle applies in every aspect of our lives. Abusing our bodies shortens our lifespan. Going against our conscience leaves the mind dull, impacting our ability to make wise decisions. Repeatedly losing self-control results in anger, envy, outbursts, cruelty, and so on. Constantly giving into what we know is wrong results in developing bad habits that become a part of who we are. These type of actions hinder us from living the full and abundant life God desires for us.
Consider this… Many think God sits in heaven looking for sinners to zap with an electrical shock. He doesn’t have to do that. Sin carries its own penalty, without extra help from God. It’s like drinking slow poison. Eventually it all catches up with us. In the end, no one gets away with sin. Not because of a vengeful God, but because we reap what we sow.
Suggestions for practicing this choice…
Do not view God as a vengeful God, out to get you. God loves us and wants to help us stop hurting ourselves.
Make a list of seeds you personally need to stop sowing. Are you sowing anger, lust, greed, hate, strife, resentment, discontent, etc.?
Sow good seeds to reap a good harvest – seeds like love and kindness. Make a list of five things you can do today to show kindness to others and do them.
Stop doing stupid stuff! Realize everything you do doesn’t just affect you, but those around you. Every time you say, “I probably shouldn’t do this” then guess what? You probably shouldn’t do it – so don’t do it!
Live your life as if everyone can see what you are doing, because in this day and age, almost everyone can see what you are doing.
