If parents really love their children, why should their children deny themselves
the pleasures of disobedience? If a government actually cares for the people, why should
the people deny themselves the pleasures of criminal activity? If GOD is love, why
should we deny ourselves the pleasures of sin?
There are, and always have been, people who try twisting the truth of GOD’S love
and grace in CHRIST towards us. They misuse GOD’S love as a license or excuse for
disobeying GOD and doing what is evil in His eyes (Romans 6:1). Those who think and
live in this way do not know or love GOD but are only trying to rationalize away their
own idolatry of pleasure (2 Timothy 3:4).
“GOD is love !” (1 John 4:16) “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John
4:19). “If anyone loves me, he will obey My teaching!” (JESUS, John 14:23). GOD
first loved us and gave His Son to die for us, and therefore we ought to love Him and
want to obey GOD’S will and purpose for our life. In His love for us He has revealed His
will and commandments for our life, so that we could receive the blessings of living
according to His eternal purpose for us (Hebrews 11:25,26). GOD’S love motivates us to
love and obey Him.
For those who do not love GOD and are being tempted by sinful diversions, there
is another reason for denying these “pleasures”. The temptation of the temporary
“pleasures” of sin is a Pandora’s box or trap, which opens to all kinds of miseries. At first,
sins, which are criminal offenses against GOD, others, and ourselves may seem
pleasurable, but they always lead to suffering and death. The love of money or power,
lying, sexual immorality and perversions, harboring angry hateful thoughts or hurling
hateful words towards others, getting high on drugs or alcohol, murdering or stealing
from others, etc., may all seem satisfying at the time. Nevertheless, like a sweet poison,
sometimes slow, sometimes quick, they will destroy a person’s body, mind, and soul.
“The wages of sin is death!” (Romans 6:23)
Now, if people do not love GOD and the negative consequences of sin are not
enough motivation to keep them from sinning, then there is always the final reality of
GOD’S eternal judgement and condemnation to Hell (Revelation 21:8).
It is written: “Nothing impure will ever enter it (that is the new eternal Heaven
and Earth revealed in verses 1-4), nor will anyone who does what is shameful or
deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”
Revelation 21:27 Only those who repent and sincerely trust in the LORD will have their
sins washed away by GOD’S grace through faith in JESUS’ suffering, death and
resurrection, and will be able to live in the LORD’S eternal holy Kingdom.
Are you struggling with some sin in your life? Ask GOD for His forgiveness in
CHRIST and for faith to believe in His love and to obey His Word! GOD loves you and
is waiting to forgive you and to guide you into a new life of faith, hope and love (1
Corinthians 13:13).
Amen, come LORD JESUS!