Dear SCC & Friends,
…choose for yourselves… ~Joshua 24:15
Reflection #177
A law of physics is that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Natural law remains true regardless of circumstances. Truth is true whether we believe it or not. If “my truth” says the law of gravity does not exist, my denial will not change a fatal outcome if I were to jump from a tall building. Spiritual law is equally true regardless of circumstances. Sin always overperforms and underdelivers, but righteousness pays dividends to eternity. ~Anon.~ We reap what we sow, and the choices we make in life have consequences. God’s forgiveness doesn’t eliminate the consequences of our choices. We bear the consequences for what we’ve done to ourselves and for the sin that rules this world. Jesus forgave the thief but didn’t take him down from the cross. ~Francine Rivers~ Some years ago, a friend shared with me he needed more of God’s love in the midst of emotional anguish following a painful bankruptcy… “Why is God letting this happen? Why hasn’t God forgiven me?” I felt bad for him but also had to tell the truth… “God has forgiven you, but Sears and Roebuck has not.”
The sin of both of man and angels was rendered possible by the fact that God gave us free will. If a thing is free to be good, it is also free to be bad, and free will is what made evil possible, it is also the only thing that makes possible love or goodness or joy worth having. ~C.S. Lewis~ Free will is a great gift but also a great responsibility in our lives. I think of Joshua and his amazing life… He was a former slave who saw the Red Sea parted, a servant to Moses, forty remarkable years in the wilderness, led Israel into the Promised Land and defeated fierce enemies. His last words to Israel were about choosing… If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. ~Josh. 24:15 Every choice we make has an end result. ~Zig Ziglar~ You and I were made for good choices… We were made for these days… Keep up the good work!
Choosing Him,
Kevin