Bulletin

Choices Have Consequences
Ken Chumbley

In the beginning, when God created Adam and Eve, He created them to be creatures of choice and not robots that had to do His will. In the Garden of Eden, Adam was told: "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it" (Genesis 2:16-17a). That Adam was able to make to make a choice is clearly seen in that God set forth a consequence if he violated that restriction: "for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2:17b). Eve was also aware of the restriction that God had made and the consequences of making a wrong choice. When she was confronted by the serpent, she stated: "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die" (Genesis 3:2-3).

We all know of the choice that Adam and Eve made when the serpent (Satan) was able to convince Eve that God didn't really mean what He said. She was able to convince Adam and both made the choice to partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now, Adam might try to say it was Eve's fault and Eve might try to place the blame at the feet of the serpent but those excuses would not fly. They both made the choice and thus both bore the consequences of that decision. They might have felt like the consequences of eating the fruit where good based on what they saw and the immediate results. However, the real consequences came later when, true to His Word, they died, spiritually, and were thrust out of their home in Eden. Other consequences followed for them, as we read from Genesis 3:15-24. However, that was not all, for all men and women have suffered the consequences of the sin of Adam and Eve (Romans 5:12-14; I Corinthians 15:22).

One lesson all need to learn in every area of life is that each choice that we make brings consequences. When one makes a good choice, there can be good consequences. Bad choices can bring bad consequences. Note I did not say that every good choice brings good consequences or vice versa. Paul made a good choice when he was obedient to the Gospel of Christ but as we read some of the consequences were not good. However, it is clear that the eternal consequences, as Paul teaches, were all good. Sometimes people make bad choices and, the immediate consequences may be good. For example, one may choose to rob a bank. The initial consequences are good – they have lots of extra money. However, the good consequences do not last. Often they end when the bank robber is apprehended and he has to give up his loot and also will probably lose his freedom. Further, if the robber is not repentant, there will be eternal consequences that are not good.

All are called upon to make a choice – whether or not to serve God and be obedient to His will. God has told us of the consequences of that choice. What is your choice? Will you choose to serve God and be obedient to His will? That choice brings eternal consequences with respect to Heaven and Hell. God does not want any to perish but desires all to come to repentance and be saved (II Peter 3:9). However, each individual has to make that choice bearing in mind the eternal consequences.