IS SIN WORTH THE COST???
Larry Fluitt
Recently I was reading an article entitled
“Worth the Cost?” penned by a good friend and fellow preacher, George Erwin, of
Winfield, WV. He reminded me that there is a cost/benefit relationship in every
purchase and in every choice.
If I want to buy a new car, suit of clothes,
television or any other item, the first thing I do is check the price. Two questions come to mind: “Can I afford
it?” And, “Is it worth it?” Some things simply cost too much, cost more than
they are worth.
This it true with respect to every choice I
make in life. Each carries a price tag and a benefit. The question I must
consider is this, “Is this worth what it will cost me?”
For instance, I may desire to engage in some
carnal behavior that brings pleasure for a time. Is the reward I receive in
sinning worth the consequences? There
are acts in which one may engage that not only rob the individual of
self-respect, but cost him his family, friends, health, possessions, happiness,
and above all, his soul (Rom. 6:23)!
Would you say, in view of the consequences, that such momentary pleasure
is worth it??
It may be that the desire to gain and possess
material blessings lead one to lie and cheat and steal. In some instances, such behavior carries
with it severe legal consequences. But
if this is not the case, does covetousness pay (I Timothy 6:9-10)?
One may strike out in anger and injure or
kill another human being. Or he may
murder someone simply for the pleasure it brings. Recently two young men in the Metroplex tortured and murdered a
mentally-challenged young woman. Today
they are charged with capital murder. I wonder, do they feel that it was worth
it?
If you feel sin---any sin--- is worth the
cost, may I suggest you spend some time pondering Mark 9:43-48 before making up
your mind. Words like these send chills
up and downl my spine:
“Where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched...
“Where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched...
“Where their worm does not die and the firr is not quenched...”
Three times the same words of condemnation are uttered! Three times the answer comes back, “NO, SIN
IS NOT WORTH IT!”