I really like Nestles Butterfinger candy bars. However, I cannot seem to get the hang of eating one without making a mess. Little pieces of the chocolate shell and also the nougat inside end up either on the outside of me or on the floor. The cleanup process almost counters the enjoyment of the eating. As I hold one in my hand I weigh the pleasure verses the cost.
It is pretty much the same consideration one must make before committing a sin. Sinning makes a mess. It ruins or at least complicates relationships or our health. Before committing a sin one surely would want to decide if the momentary pleasure is worth the lifelong complications. God knows these things. That’s why He has told us that certain things are sin. He wants us to be happy and He knows the complications that follow certain behaviors. It’s not that God wants to deprive us of pleasure. The issue is quite to the contrary. He wants to prolong our pleasure for many years to come instead of watching us spoil those years with a few minutes of destructive behavior.
The wages of sin mentioned in Romans 6:23 are just that. The consequences of sin are not God punishing us for certain things. The wages are the natural fruit of certain behaviors. It is a sin to put leaded gas in a modern car not because the manufacturer will find us and fine us. It is a sin because it will ruin modern computer refined engines and catalytic converters. It is just that simple. God will not add up the number of times we smoked and subtract a month for each pack. The cigarettes themselves will do that without God’s interference.
This is not rocket science. It is just plain common sense. Listen to Him. He knows.
Written by Roger Bothwell on July 17, 2013
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org