Blessings or Curses?

             In my last blog post, I talked about what the Lord requires of us—to fear Him, to walk in His ways, to love Him, and to obey His commandments.  We should be able to realize that all those things are for our good since His ways are so much better than ours.  Sadly, many people prefer to do their own thing rather than submit to God.

            God went on to tell the Israelites, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse—the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known (Deuteronomy 11:26-28 NIV84).

            So, how does that apply to us as Christians?  How do our lives and future change when we fulfill His requirements as opposed to when we fail to meet His requirements?  The apostle, John, gives us a clear answer, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (I John 5: 12 NIV84).  In his Gospel, John also says that by believing in Christ, we are no longer condemned, but those who do not believe are condemned already (John 3: 18).

            As humans, we will still sin because of our sinful nature.  However, because of the blood of Christ, we have forgiveness through confession and repentance.  The acceptance of God’s Son as our Lord and Savior is the key to everything.  It determines our fate.

            Blessing or curse; Life or condemnation—it’s our choice.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No man comes to the Father except through Him (John 14: 6).  So, that means it’s up to us.  God gives us a choice.  Do you desire the blessings that only God can provide, or are you so self-absorbed that you are willing to risk the curses of life without Christ?  No one can make that decision for you.  So, as Joshua once told the Israelites, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24: 15 NIV84. It seems like a simple decision which is why it is so sad that so many choose “curses” rather than “blessings.”  I pray that you won’t make that mistake.

Deuteronomy 11: 26 – 28

I John 5: 12

John 3: 16 - 18

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