How You Live Matters

Loving families, when you think about it, are the very bedrock of our lives as communal creatures. Without them, society would fall apart … which perhaps goes some way to explaining the mess the world's in today. Of course, not every child is blessed to grow up surrounded by a loving, albeit imperfect, mother and father. Fortunately I was and though my parents are both gone now, the upbringing they gave me is something I'll cherish for all eternity. But that upbringing involved some tough love. It involved discipline. It involved the strap from time to time – not that that's something I'm in any way advocating. Yet my parents were determined to teach me that actions have consequences. And as inconceivably loving as God is, that's a lesson He means to teach us, because whether or not we learn it will have eternal consequences: Romans 2:6-8 He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. (ESV) Wow, is that really in the Bible? Yes it is! What happened to the God of mercy and grace? Well, He's still the God of mercy and grace but we accept or reject that mercy and grace by how we live. To those who respond in obedience, He will give eternal life. For those who respond in disobedience, there will be wrath and fury. Actions have consequences.  That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.