Is It Worth The Cost?

"What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!"

~Romans 6:21 (NIV)

Think about that momentary satisfaction when we give in to temptation. Maybe it's that gossip that feels good for a moment, the small dishonesty that seems to make life easier, or the angry words we use that feel so good at the time. Or maybe it’s a bad habit we can’t seem to shake like drugs, or alcohol, or sexual immorality.  We can even view these sins as a “reward” for “being good all week.”  In the moment, sin offers us something that feels like a benefit—if it didn’t, we wouldn’t keep falling into that same trap.

Paul challenges us to look back at those poor choices honestly. What lasting fruit came from those choices? What real benefit remained after the momentary pleasure faded? The truth is, sin promises satisfaction but delivers shame. It promises freedom but brings bondage.

Jesus described this in John 8:34 when He said, "Everyone who sins is a slave to sin." But the wonderful news follows in verse 36: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." The price of sin is always higher than we want to admit.

Today, when temptation comes, and it always does, remember to count the true cost. Ask yourself: "Is this momentary pleasure worth the shame, the separation from God, the damage to my witness?" Christ has set us free from sin's power. We no longer have to be slaves to it.

~Pastor Todd Creason