Examine Your Choices: Consider the Cost - Part 1

Dr. R. G. Lee’s sermon, "Payday Someday," warns us there’s a cost linked to our choices. For those who choose Christ Jesus, a crown of righteousness is stored up and waiting. Jude 11 speaks to those who exist outside of God's favor. "Woe to those who take the way of Cain, motivated by greed and rushing straight into Balaam’s blunder."

Balaam and Cain shared a common problem. Although God spoke to each one personally, each rejected His guidance, love, and kindness, choosing instead to satisfy his own greedy, sinful attitudes. Each rejected God’s way to live.

God’s Word encourages us to follow in his plan of righteousness for he will compensate for what is lost financially, emotionally, or socially.  An ancient hymn from the Dead Sea Scrolls declares, "By his righteousness my sin is blotted out.  If I stumble because of weakness, my justification is certain in the righteousness of God, so by his loving kindness and mercy I am secure." God’s rewards are worth more than any earthly possession.  

Half-hearted Prophets and Compromised Faith - Part 3

Compromise can be seen as positive or negative.  Every soul has had to cope with its implications. Lawsuits are often settled by compromise. Without compromise, legislation would not become law. A popular song a few decades back had this haunting line, "I've done a load of compromising on the road to my horizons."

Balaam, an Old Testament personality compromised his belief in God on the road to his horizons. The book of Jude issues this warning. “Woe to those who blindly pursue wealth while disregarding God’s will and purpose for their lives.” Balaam needed power and recognition in addition to wealth. He flirted with evil by thinking he was above reaping evil’s penalties.

God's word tells you to resist compromising your faith, to resist Satan so he will flee from you. God sends warning signs when you begin to consider compromise and temptation.  God sent an angel to rebuke Balaam, but tragically his heart was unwilling to heed the angel’s words. Compromise can be resisted when you love God with all your heart, soul and mind.