Choices! Consequences! Accountability!

Thank you for being here! I pray that the Lord will speak to your heart through our words today. My wife, Donna, prepared this post. We ask, “Holy Spirit, speak! May we grow closer to You Father, as we digest Your Word.” Eric

"Every choice we make, from the seemingly insignificant to the monumental, sends ripples through our lives; shaping our destiny and the world around us. It is a profound truth that often escapes our notice as we navigate through the hustle and bustle of daily life. Understanding the consequences of our actions is crucial for personal growth, healthy relationships and a fulfilling existence." (neurolaunch.com).

My desire today is that we would understand that whatever choices we make, action we take and behaviors we exhibit all have consequences. Besides the consequences, we must also be aware that we ultimately will be held accountable for what we choose and have chosen to do.

Consequences can be positive or negative. Sometimes, we see the consequences of our actions immediately. Other times, the consequences are delayed and sometimes delayed to a point where we can fail to associate the consequence with the choice that was made.

Based on previous choices and consequences, we can anticipate potential outcomes and make choices that align with our goals and values. My father, at times told me, "We can learn from other peoples' mistakes as well as from our own."

As we discuss choices and consequences, I believe the following statement will become invaluable to us - "It's not about living in fear of negative consequences, but rather about embracing the power we have to shape our lives through mindful actions." (neurolaunch.com).

As a Christian (believer), we have the power to live a successful and blessed life by making good decisions and choices based on our knowledge of the Truth, the Word of God! Praise God, He is our loving Father. He did not create us and walk away! When sin entered the world, He immediately provided the way for our personal reconciliation with Himself. He sent His Son, He gave us the Holy Spirit and He provided His Word "for teaching for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness that the man of God may be complete (ready, prepared or equipped) for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

Before we examine some of the examples the Lord has provided in His Word of both positive and negative consequences - we need to have a basic understanding of the types of consequences we can experience.

An example of a 'natural' consequence that we might experience would be, our getting wet when we don't choose to take an umbrella on a rainy day.

There are also 'logical' consequences which are imposed by others but directly related to our behavior. For example, if a student constantly fails to turn in their homework - they will face the possibility of getting a lower grade than they are capable of, getting a zero on that assignment or possibly being held back a grade level.

Then, of course, consequences can be recognized as positive (follows desirable choices) or negative (which are unpleasant outcomes for undesirable choices).

Why is all of this important? Like my dad also used to say, "We can learn the lesson the easy way or the hard way - it is your choice!"

Let's get into the Word of God! Let's study to show ourselves approved and gain insight and knowledge that will have a positive impact on our lives!

The Word of God sets very definitive expectations and boundaries concerning the choices we make and the actions we take: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." 'Death' thanatos is defined in HELPS Word-studies as: "physical or spiritual death (figuratively) separation from the life (salvation) of God forever by dying without first experiencing death to self to receive His gift of salvation." For some of you, this will be the most important paragraph you will read today. If you chose to not accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the consequence you will face will be an eternal separation from God and all that He is. If you do or have chosen to accept Jesus' sacrifice, you will spend eternity in God's very presence, in His light, His love, His peace, His joy...in all that He is! I urge you to make that decision today if you have not yet done so.

As we read the Word, we see that God very plainly reveals believers should not walk in the futility of their minds. We are instructed to 'put off' our old sin nature which is corrupt through our deceitful desires. Then, we are also instructed to 'put on' the new self which we receive through our salvation or restored relationship with God. Our 'new self' is created after the likeness of God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22). We 'put on' the new self by the choices we make.

We all need to understand that the choices we make affect not just ourselves, but also our families, communities and even generations. (Deuteronomy 5:9).

The Lord is the Creator of everything. He formed each one of us in our mother's womb. He is holy and righteous all together. As I stated earlier - the Word of God sets very definitive expectations for God's children. When we accept Him and His love for us, we must realize that He commands us to be holy. He expects us to live a life which will enable us to enter into His holiness when He calls us to our eternal home.

Every choice we make needs to reflect His heart's desire for us. Remember, the wages of sin is death. Also realize, no one is ever forced to sin - if we sin, we have chosen to do so and we have chosen to act against His desire.

God created mankind with a free will. However, having a free will does not exempt us from the consequences of our choices. "While we are free to choose, once we have made those choices, we are tied to the consequences of those choices." (Alfred Montapert). Understand though, as His children, when we confess our sin to Him, He is faithful to forgive us of our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9). If we do not confess and repent (turn away) from that sin, we will be held accountable.

Let's spend some time looking at Scriptural examples of people's choices and the consequences that followed:

Adam and Eve ate the fruit: The ground was cursed, sin and the fall of mankind entered the world, they were removed from the Garden and in time, they died. (Genesis 3).

Cain chose to give in to anger and killed his brother: He was driven from his family and was a marked man. (Genesis 4).

Noah chose to believe God: He and his family were spared from the flood (Genesis 6 and 7).

Abraham chose to follow and obey God's leading: He became the Father of our faith. (Genesis 12).

Lot's wife chose to look back at Sodom during an angel guided escape: She was turned into a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19).

Moses chose to stretch his hand over the sea: The children of Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry ground then the Egyptian army was drowned. (Exodus 14:21).

The Israelites chose to not trust God's promises after being released from their bondage in Egypt: They spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness. The unfaithful died there. (Numbers 14).

Achan chose to steal devoted items from the battle of Ai: Defeat of the Israelite army at Ai, death for him and his entire family (Joshua 6 and 7).

Ruth chose to follow Naomi to Bethlehem and to worship God: She became the mother of Obed in the lineage of Jesus. (Ruth 1).

David chose to commit adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband murdered: The child died, his own family turned against him, the sword never departed from his house and he was unable to build the temple of the Lord. (2 Samuel 11 and 12).

Elisha chose to follow Elijah: He received a double portion of Elijah's anointing. (1 Kings 19:21 and 2kjh Kings 2:1-18).

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego chose to not worship the golden image: They were delivered from the fiery furnace. (Daniel 3).

Daniel chose to pray to and worship God: He was supernaturally saved in the lions' den. (Daniel 6).

Mary chose to receive the Word of the angel and the visitation of the Spirit of God: She became the mother of Jesus, the Messiah. (Luke 1).

Jesus chose to come to earth to die for mankind: We have eternal life. (John 10:18).

The disciples chose to wait for the Promised gift: They received and ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2).

The Disciples chose to take up their cross and follow Christ: They spread the gospel to the world. (Matthew 10:38).

Peter chose to speak to the multitude: 3000 souls were added to the church in one day. (Acts 2).

Ananias and Sapphira chose to lie to the Holy Spirit: They dropped dead. (Acts 5).

Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, chose to go and pray for Saul even though he was a persecutor of the church: Saul (Paul) received healing, was filled with the Holy Spirit and wrote much of the New Testament. (Acts 9).

A word to the wise is sufficient. Therefore, I will share only two verses of Scripture concerning our accountability to God. Ecclesiastes 12:13 and 14, "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."

So, how can you eliminate the negative consequences that would come upon you, your family, and generations? Choose to love God with your whole heart and live in obedience to His Word. Choose to please Him in all that you do and in every choice you make. "Our only concern is to obey the heavenly Father and leave the consequences to Him. " (Charles Stanley).

"Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things." (Bruce Barton).

With this mindset and the help of the Holy Spirit, we can make good choices and will have good consequences!

Lord, help each of us choose to love You, worship You, serve You and obey You, so that we send only positive ripples into the lives of our family, friends and acquaintances

All Scriptures were taken from the English Standard Version.