Isaiah 66:3-4
“He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.”
Every year when I was in high school, we had a party right before Christmas break. We brought sweets prepared by our parents, but we also played games. With one of the games we played, every student would take a number from one to whatever. All the gifts would be placed on a table, and if you were the one who had been given the number “one,” then you were the first person to choose from the array of wrapped gifts. Every person afterwards would choose a gift, and if they didn’t like their gift, then they would trade it with another gift someone else had already opened. The person who chose first had the opportunity at the end to look around and trade for the gift of their choice if they didn’t like their gift. That was the benefit of picking first.
Sin is not like this at all. You can pick what sin you want to commit, but you cannot pick the punishment that comes with it. Sin is not a gag gift. If you don’t like what your sin brought you, you cannot trade it with someone else and choose your desired punishment. Certainly, there is an array of sin that is wrapped in nice wrapping paper, but once you choose it, you are stuck with it.
God said about Israel, “Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.” Israel got to choose their sin, and they even enjoyed their sin. Yes, there is pleasure in sin, but the end of the story did not stop with this verse. God continued by saying, “I also will choose their delusions…” Notice, Israel chose their sin, but God chose the punishment. Israel got what they wanted, but God chose the result of their sin. Just like the gag gift on the table, Israel saw their sin wrapped in pretty paper. In fact, they opened it and enjoyed it for a time, but the enjoyment ended when God traded their delight for punishment.
Christian, I could write everyday about the punishment of sin, but for some reason we tend to think that the warning is for someone else. When we face the choice of sin, we often lie to ourselves and think that we will never have to suffer the consequences of sin as others have. Sin has a way of fooling us, but we must always keep in mind that sin is not a gag gift that we can switch with someone else if we don’t like what was inside of its wrapping paper.
Always keep in mind that sin may have pretty wrapping paper, and you can make your choice of sin, but you will never be able to choose the results of your sin. Please, let this devotional be a warning to stay away from sin. Look around and see all the people who have chosen sin, but also look at what it brought. Your sin may be enjoyable now, but you will face its consequences soon. Let this warning move you to repentance towards God and removing the sin from your life. It is only when you repent that you have a chance for God to give mercy. Remember, you can choose your sin, but you can’t choose your punishment.