This was a great NANC weekend. What fun to gather with hundreds of others to hear from awesome speakers speaking so much truth! I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity. One of the things that really struck me was a seminar on
Choices Have Consequences (Good & Bad)
Galatians 5:15-17
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
What a great talk on the consequences of our choices. When we are operating from within the bounds of God’s directions to us-His word we abound in peace. It is all so understandable but something we often don’t think about unless our choice brought about a sad consequence and we feel depressed! We often try to avoid consequences of our choices. We struggle with fear, pride and change.
Understanding the foundation of Consequences
Consequences are rooted in the holiness of God (I Peter 1:16, Is 5:16)
Consequences are a result of the justice of God (Deu 11:26-28 Ezek 18:4)
Consequences may be over ruled by God’s grace and mercy (Grace=God giving us what we don’t deserve (in a good way), Mercy=God withholding what we DO deserve!)
The Timing of Consequences is sometimes immediate and sometimes delayed (II Cor 26)
There are Direct consequences-physical, spiritual, personally, family and others and Eternal consequences.
Our responses to consequences of the choices we make:
If we ignore them we fail to learn the lesson God wants to teach us. HE loves us so much He continually gives us opportunities to grow in HIS ways. I’ve lived long enough to know I want to learn the lesson the first time and not keep repeating sin!
We even often acknowledge them but blame it on God or somebody else!
God’s View of consequences of sin - an opportunity to learn and grow
When going thru those consequences learn to Praise the Lord for the growth opportunity (Psalm 42:5)
See the goal in mind: Conformity to Christ (Hebrew 12)
We can use it for God’s glory if we walk it out in faith
Glorify God=to give the right opinion of God
Give Thankfulness
And use it to encourage others
As I reflect on this I think sometimes we miss the boat because we see “sin” as adultery or some big sin but isn’t it true that if we lie it eventually catches up with us? If we don’t pay our bills or fulfill our obligations doesn’t it eventually catch up with us. And when it does catch up how do we handle that? Do we dig in and purpose to never do that again and bear through the consequence with grace and thankfulness to God for the lesson or do we continue to do the same sin over and over grumbling and blaming God the whole way in how unfair life is????
Praise GOD that as we grow in our walk with our heavenly father He is faithful to forgive us when we ask and always ready to lead us down the path of righteousness. God is SO GOOD!
Choices Have Consequences (Good & Bad)
Galatians 5:15-17
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
What a great talk on the consequences of our choices. When we are operating from within the bounds of God’s directions to us-His word we abound in peace. It is all so understandable but something we often don’t think about unless our choice brought about a sad consequence and we feel depressed! We often try to avoid consequences of our choices. We struggle with fear, pride and change.
Understanding the foundation of Consequences
Consequences are rooted in the holiness of God (I Peter 1:16, Is 5:16)
Consequences are a result of the justice of God (Deu 11:26-28 Ezek 18:4)
Consequences may be over ruled by God’s grace and mercy (Grace=God giving us what we don’t deserve (in a good way), Mercy=God withholding what we DO deserve!)
The Timing of Consequences is sometimes immediate and sometimes delayed (II Cor 26)
There are Direct consequences-physical, spiritual, personally, family and others and Eternal consequences.
Our responses to consequences of the choices we make:
If we ignore them we fail to learn the lesson God wants to teach us. HE loves us so much He continually gives us opportunities to grow in HIS ways. I’ve lived long enough to know I want to learn the lesson the first time and not keep repeating sin!
We even often acknowledge them but blame it on God or somebody else!
God’s View of consequences of sin - an opportunity to learn and grow
When going thru those consequences learn to Praise the Lord for the growth opportunity (Psalm 42:5)
See the goal in mind: Conformity to Christ (Hebrew 12)
We can use it for God’s glory if we walk it out in faith
Glorify God=to give the right opinion of God
Give Thankfulness
And use it to encourage others
As I reflect on this I think sometimes we miss the boat because we see “sin” as adultery or some big sin but isn’t it true that if we lie it eventually catches up with us? If we don’t pay our bills or fulfill our obligations doesn’t it eventually catch up with us. And when it does catch up how do we handle that? Do we dig in and purpose to never do that again and bear through the consequence with grace and thankfulness to God for the lesson or do we continue to do the same sin over and over grumbling and blaming God the whole way in how unfair life is????
Praise GOD that as we grow in our walk with our heavenly father He is faithful to forgive us when we ask and always ready to lead us down the path of righteousness. God is SO GOOD!
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