The price we pay for disobedience is very high; we could end up losing everything. Mark 8:36 says, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” There are many great people, even in the Bible, who disobeyed God. They did a foolish or hasty act and paid greatly for it. Moses, a humble servant of God, was chosen to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Through the power of God, Moses did great miracles. We remember how he parted the Red Sea. He led the Israelites to the promised land yet never entered it. Why? Numbers 20:3-12 says that Moses was angry with the Israelites for complaining all the time. Instead of speaking to the rock as God told him to, Moses struck it and in so doing, disobeyed God’s word. This deed seems very trivial but it cost Moses; God showed him the promised land but he could not enter it. Ouch!
Sometimes God sends messengers to rebuke us or remind us of our wrongdoing. When people repeatedly do the wrong thing and grieve the heart of God, He sends His holy judgement on them. Romans 2:6 says, “God will repay each one according to his deeds.” No one escapes the judgement of God. King Belshazzar was unlike King Nebuchadnezzar his father who repented of his arrogance and pride. King Belshazzar committed many wrong deeds; he disobeyed God and further profaned the temple vessels. In the midst of one of his wild parties, the writing on the wall appeared. The king was terror-struck because he knew he had done wrong. But it was too late; that same night he was taken captive and killed. God’s written word brings the fiercest, most powerful man to his knees.
In the sight of God there is no distinction between big sin and small sin. There is a price to be paid for wrongdoing. When parents break their matrimonial vow, the family is ripped apart through this separated. There are not enough words to describe the pain that each family member goes through. No amount of money or material wealth can recompense this pain. They all pay the price. It is hard and cruel but God never sanctioned divorce. Malachi 2:16 say, “‘For I hate divorce, says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘and him who covers his garment with wrong,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.’”
In most cases wrongdoing stems from selfishness. When people want to please themselves and justify their selfish desires, often at the expense of others, sin creeps in. Notice how people who have much are never satisfied? They always want more; bigger, better, faster, become their ‘catch words’. When you blatantly disregard the happiness of others, take heed of the road you are travelling. Galatians 6:7-8 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
Don’t make excuses and fool yourself. Do something before it is too late! Luke 16:19-31 records the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. When the rich man found himself in hell, he looked up and saw Lazarus sitting with Abraham. He pleaded for a drop of water from Lazarus’ finger. When told this was impossible, he pleaded with Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his family of the place of torment he was in. Sadly, it was too late. Isaiah 55:6-7 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way …” Don’t pay the ultimate price! ◊
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