Making Choices=Choosing Consequences

I realize that many good folks do not want this kind of responsibility or accountability upon them, but according to God's Word it is true that we choose whether to be a slave to sin which leads to death or a servant of God which leads to righteous living. Here is what the Apostle Paul says:

^{Romans 6:15} Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! ¹⁶ Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. ¹⁷ Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. ¹⁸ Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.


Who We OBEY We End Up Serving

-Bob Dylan was correct when he sang this song: "You gotta serve somebody; it may be the devil, it may be the Lord, but we gotta serve somebody"....
-Every choice we make pretty much shows who we are serving. In light of the Bible and it's teaching, look at your last 3 choices you made in your life. Who have you served.

*Just yesterday after our worship service, I received a call from someone that said they were just about ready to make a decision that would have far reaching ramifications for many people. After worshiping on Sunday, their mind was changed and realized that this decision would not be "God-honoring." I really commend this kind of wisdom. None of us know what kind of tragedy or pain that could have been warded off because of this choice.


Our Character will end up REFLECTING the one we obey


I mentioned in church yesterday that our oldest daughter gets many opinions of who she looks like. Most people, after looking at me and then at her mother will say: "You look so much like your mother!" I am really thankful she looks more like her mom than she does me: 

Do you realize that the Apostle Paul said to Timothy that people in the last days will look like the decisions and choices they have made. When I read this, I start thinking that Paul was right and it seems we are in these days right now! Judge for yourself:


2 Timothy 3: 1---You should also know this, Timothy that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. 4They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.

What do you think? Does this resemble our times? Does this look like a picture of our world? Our church?
Who are you reflecting? Is Bob Dylan right? We gotta serve somebody?
I pray that in my own life that I reflect Jesus Christ and the love that he has for the world, for sinners and for everyone and anyone in need.


Here is a story that I used as a closing illustration at United Wesleyan yesterday morning. 

On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is a portrait with the following inscription: "James Butler Bonham--no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom."

-No literal portrait of Jesus exists either. But the likeness of the Son who makes us free can be seen in the lives of His true followers


Be blessed everyone! God is on your side....