The Gift of God for You

When I was a kid there was a strange disconnect from the known risk of smoking and common practices.  For instance, in Southern California at our local diner upon entry a cigarette vending machine was a fixture.  A waitress would ask for our preference of "Smoking or non-smoking?"  We always chose the non-smoking section, but the view of smoke rising from tables and ashtrays was not far away.  It was ironic to me we eat to sustain the health of our bodies, whilst at the same time the clearly visible Surgeon General's Warning stated, "Smoking may be hazardous to your health."  This warning later took aim at smokers personally:  "Quitting smoking now greatly reduces serious risks to your health."

I saw a sign today in the shops in Australia that reminded me of how much things have changed.  The sign simply said, "Smoking kills."  It struck me that a sign intended to warn all of the serious health risks of smoking is no guarantee.  Smokers can always dodge the implications of the potential hazards of smoking by citing examples of people who lived healthy and died young, or people who smoked packs a day who lived a long life.  I am not a smoker myself, but I can see how easy it is to deflect the more serious warnings because they are not personal.  Even if the sign read, "Smoking will kill you" there would be those who doubted this claim, deny belief by their continued smoking or be indifferent.

One aspect I love about God's word is there is no wiggle room concerning warnings of sin.  There is no wavering maybes like, "Sin may destroy relationships" or "Sin might increase your sorrow in life" or "Sin might punch your ticket to hell."  God is absolutely clear concerning the destructive, deadly consequences of sin for people created in His image.  Ezekiel 18:20 states, "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself."  There is no question concerning the righteous standard held forth in the 10 Commandments and the testimony of scripture, for the sovereign God speaks in absolutes.  God tells every person what are the clear consequences of sin individually:  the death of the body and ultimate eternal death of our souls.

Until now our future looks bleak because we are all born addicted to sin:  pride, rebellion, selfishness, folly and much more.  The glorious truth is the God who knows and reveals our sin also has provided a way for us to be instantly cleansed, forgiven and born again.  The lungs of a heavy smoker can recover over time after quitting, but being justified by grace through faith in Jesus is done in an instant.  When we repent of our sin and believe on Jesus as LORD and Saviour the righteousness of God is credited to us.  Paul contrasted our lives governed by sin and self and the life we have through faith in Jesus in Romans 6:21-23:  "What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. ²² But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

See the assurance God gives those who trust in Him!  All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and the wages of sin is death.  Faith in Jesus does not provide a possibility of salvation or redemption but it is a guarantee based upon what God has already said and done.  God offers all sinners the gift of salvation, having clearly communicated our need.  He has set before us a way of life and death all must choose, and the wise will hear God, believe what God says is true for them personally and obey.