Is It Worth It?

For some reason, we sometimes try to justify certain behaviors and think we will “be ok” and that God will “be ok” with us.  Unfortunately, that is what “the flesh” does and how “the devil” works—he deceives us into thinking according to “the flesh” and living according to “the flesh.”

God issues warning after warning against giving into and flirting with our fleshly desires.  One such passage is in Galatians 5:19-21.  In this text, the Lord describes some manifestations of “the works of the flesh.”  It is not that these “works” are difficult to identify.  He says that they are “evident”—clearly identifiable in one’s life and, thus, avoidable (if one would so choose).   They are described as “the works of the flesh” to emphasize that these are the product of the devil’s influence in our lives (and not the Savior’s).  As the enemy of God, that deceitful serpent (2 Cor. 11:3) lures us in a variety of ways to “fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16).

Our loving Lord is quick to alert us to the consequences of practicing such things.  It’s interesting that Galatians 5:21 uses the expressions “and the like” and then “such things.”  This was not intended to be an exhaustive list of all sinful deeds, but it would include anything that was “like” them, embracing “every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22).  Those who engage in these activities “will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  There are eternal consequences for choices that we make on this earth. We must recognize that we jeopardize our home in heaven when we give into works of the flesh.

There are sexual sins, such as adultery, fornication, impurity, lewdness, sensuality (5:19), and even homosexuality (1 Cor. 6:9).  Is it worth it to engage in these acts when God says that I “will not inherit the kingdom of God” if I do?

There are religious sins, such as idolatry and sorcery (5:20), which are in direct violation of the one true God.  Is it worth it when God says that I “will not inherit the kingdom of God” if I do these things?

There are interpersonal sins that involve how I feel or act towards others, such as hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy (5:20-21), even extortion (1 Cor. 6:10).  Is it worth it to engage in these when God says that I “will not inherit the kingdom of God” if I do?

There are unrestrained sins, such as drunkenness and revelries (5:21).  Is it worth it to engage in these acts when God says that I “will not inherit the kingdom of God” if I do?

Too often, we try to justify certain behaviors and think they will “be ok” and God will “be ok” with us.  Read the New Testament.  God warns against such choices over and over.  Is it really worth losing heaven to fulfill these fleshly desires?

~David Sproule