Psalm 81:11-12 NLT
[11] But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around. [12] So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas.
God let the Israelites go on blindly, stubbornly, and selfishly, when they should have been obeying and following God’s desires. God sometimes lets us continue in our stubbornness to bring us to our senses. He does not keep us from rebelling because he wants us to learn the consequences of sin. He uses these experiences to turn people away from greater sin to faith in him.
1) PAIN FROM OUR CHOICES TO REBEL, BRING US TO OUR SENSES!
Luke 15:13-18 NIV
[13] “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. [14] After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. [15] So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. [16] He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. [17] “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
2) DON’T GET COMFORTABLY DECEIVED IN YOUR VOMIT!
2 Peter 2:20-22 NIV
[20] If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. [21] It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. [22] Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”
3) DON’T SAY DEAD AND LOST! WAKE UP!
Luke 15:22-24 NIV
[22] “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Ephesians 5:11-17 NIV
[11] Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. [12] It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. [13] But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. [14] This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” [15] Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
4) GOD GIVES US THE POWER TO MAKE OUR OWN CHOICES!
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NIV
[19] This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live [20] and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
GET RIGHT, STAY RIGHT! 10,000 years from now, where will your choices have placed you?
John 14:6 NIV
[6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
From an Unworthy servant,
Chris Chloupek
Lead Evangelist