Often Oblivious to the Obvious

“True liberty consists only in the power of doing what we ought to will, and in not being constrained to do what we ought not to will.”
-Jonathan Edwards

Re-read and think on this quote, and then consider:

"... When you were slaves of sin... What benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life."
-Rom.6:20-22

Sin = Death.
Its so simple.
Just in case you were wondering, death is not a benefit.
Death is not something we cherish. Death is not something we wrap up and place under the tree to be given to our loved ones on the morn of our sweet Saviour's birth. Nor is it a tasty little treat we offer guests before a meal to whet their appetites.
Death is not a mere annoyance. Something we can live with, that just gets in the way like a pesky mosquito, bad gas, or the neighbor's yappy dog at 3am.
Death, in its least harmful form, is the physical end of you. In its worst, and most horrific form, is the eternal separation from, while experiencing the infinite wrath of, the one, true, all-powerful, holy God.
Death and sin are natural bedfellows. So why is it that I, a blood-bought child of God, no longer a slave to sin, still choose it, instead of that which brings benefit? This, in reality, is akin to standing on the freeway in front of a speeding semi because "I really like trucks, and this is how I choose to experience them." The sheer stupidity and colossal lack of faith in sound reason is astonishing.

The rebellious, wicked sinner whose eyes have not been opened to the "Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2Cor4:6) are those whom Edwards speaks of as "constrained to do what we ought not to will." They are slaves to sin, and therefore destined to death in it's worst possible form. You, Christian, however, are not so. You, through the death of Christ, have been "enslaved to God" which means instead of death, "you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life." You have the power of doing what you ought to will.

As Christians, we have the Word, we have the Spirit, yet we sin. We have everything we need to keep us healthy and satisfied, yet we choose the poison. May I be so bold as to suggest a very simple, and painfully obvious solution? Consider what the author of Hebrews teaches us about Israel's failure, and whether or not their failure might be your own...

"For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they [Israel] also; but the word they [Israel] heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard."
-Heb.4:2

Can you see the solution? Simply put, believe the Word.

"...the outcome of those things is death."
-Rom6:21




“True liberty consists only in the power of doing what we ought to will, and in not being constrained to do what we ought not to will.”
-Jonathan Edwards