Each week, we present a devotional that was written by one of our partners. This week’s words of reflection were written by Carrie Womack.The Word:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (NASB)
The Story:
One day during my youth, I was cleaning out my winter coat pockets, and I found a twenty dollar bill! I was so excited because as a teenager, twenty dollars presented so many possibilities. I could buy candy, go out to eat or have bus money. Unfortunately, I knew that this wasn’t money earned from my allowance or a gift. It was most likely change from a purchase I made for my mother. It had been a year since I had worn my winter coat, and I was sure she probably wouldn’t miss it. I had a choice to make; keep the money or return it to its rightful owner. Even though some might think keeping the money would be fine because no one would know, or that it wasn’t a big deal, I knew keeping money that did not belong to me would displease the Lord. I made the choice to return the money to my mother. All sin, whether we consider it large or small, is sin.
The Reflection:
Have there been choices we’ve made that we knew would not please the Lord, but we made them anyway because we considered them small sins? What sources are we relying on to make our decisions? Friends? Popular Opinion? The Word of God?
The Application:
We are given free will by God to make choices. When we continually read the Bible and spend unhurried time with Him, we have a greater understanding of what pleases the Lord. Every day, as we make choices, let us stop and ask ourselves which decisions would truly delight our Father.
The Prayer:
Lord, we thank You for free will, and helping us to make choices that are pleasing to You. We recognize that sin is sin, and that all sin leads to death. Only through You do we have eternal life and freedom from sin. For that, we are grateful. Amen.
