Considering The High Cost Of Sin

Here in El Paso, we pay more at the pump for gasoline than almost any city in the country, and people are feeling the crunch. Many folks are taking advantage of car pools and city provided buses, while others are looking for more efficient fuel-saving vehicles. Spiritually speaking, if people were more aware of the high cost of sin, there might be more life-style changes taking place resulting in a more godly society (note the contrast).

From past studies, we know that drugs and alcohol destroy families and result in increased business and health care costs. Adultery destroys families resulting in emotional and financial suffering to spouses and children. Fornication results in sexually transmitted diseases and unwed mothers, and we could go on and on.

Time and space will not permit the multitude of examples that could be given illustrating the high cost of sin. Yet, there is one cost that must be considered above all other costs — and that is the cost of losing one’s soul. Absolute nothing in this life is as valuable as one’s soul (Matthew 16:26). To lose our soul eternally because of sin, is a tragedy indeed (Romans 6:23; cf. Romans 2:5,8-9) — a tragedy that can be prevented.

If we would just take a small amount of time out of our busy schedules to reflect upon the high cost of sin, there would be far more drastic changes taking place than those made due to the high cost of gasoline. Lives and lifestyles would be changed before an never changing God (James 1:17; Hebrews 13:8). The unbeliever would seek the truth of God’s Word and become obedient to that truth (Matthew 7:21; cf. Acts 8:26-39; Acts 10). He would repent (Acts 17:30), confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:26-39; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:1-6; Galations 3:26-27).

Dear reader, the important thing to consider is not what changes in lifestyle you have made due to the high cost of gasoline, but what changes in lifestyle do you need to make due to the high cost of sin (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 10:1-14; Gal. 5:13-26; Ephesians 5:1-17; Colossians 3; 2 Timothy 2). Then simply follow through with those changes beginning today (2 Corinthians 6:1-2; Hebrews 3:1-14).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets