cause and effect
"They did not listen...they rejected [God's] statutes...and the warnings which He had given them." —2 Kings 17:14, 15
The Israelites experienced the consequences of rejecting God thousands of years ago, and modern society is following the same path. If the causes are similar, why would we expect the results to differ?
- Persist in sin, and receive the wages of sin: death (Rm 6:23).
- Condemn others, even silently, and be condemned (Mt 7:2).
- Fail to tithe and give alms, and cause others to suffer (Sir 14:4-9).
- Fail to evangelize, and reap a godless society.
- Put your trust in contraception and reap a culture of death.
- Sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind (Hos 8:7).
Our sinful, human nature tends toward death (Rm 8:6), and even pursues death. However, we have hope in Jesus, Who is our only Hope. When we live for Jesus alone, He breaks the destructive cycle of sin and gives us a new set of consequences:
- Repent, obey God's commands, worship Him alone, and a thousand generations of your descendants receive His mercy (Ex 20:5-6; 1 Pt 2:10).
- Sow God's word, and reap much fruit (Mk 4:8).
- Trust God, tithe, give alms, and sow your money generously for Him, and He will wipe everything clean for you (Lk 11:42), open the floodgates of heaven to bless you beyond measure (Mal 3:10), and let you reap bountifully (2 Cor 9:6).
"I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life" (Dt 30:19). Break out of the vicious cycle. Obey God.
Prayer: Jesus, save me from myself. Save me for a life of obedience, service, holiness, and worship. I give my life totally to You.
Promise: "The measure with which you measure will be used to measure you." —Mt 7:2
Praise: By age 11, St. Aloysius was compelled by the Holy Spirit to teach truth to children younger than himself.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 29, 2009
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