This fleshly world thrives on: Pleasure. Money. Power. Sex. Fame. Drugs. Alcohol. Lying. Cheating. Stealing. Killing. The world is full of the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). That’s how Satan wants it. Satan wants us all to go after the fleshly things that make us feel good. The things that satisfy our every desire. The things that keep us on top. The pleasures of sin. Sin is enjoyable. Make no mistake. But God has shown us that sin leads to eternal death. Hell. God has shown us what true pleasures are in life. In this life and the one to come. There are many things to enjoy in this life when we do it God’s way. The pleasures God offers are that of eternal life in Heaven with Him. Satan offers us temporary pleasures of sin which lead to eternal suffering. God offers us eternal life even though it may be hard for us to live a righteous life on this earth. So we’re left with a choice. Which will we choose: God or Satan? Pleasures of sin or pleasures of righteousness? Heaven or Hell?
Moses. He had to make that choice. He is one who really knew what making that choice is all about. Moses was “adopted” by Pharaoh’s daughter in Egypt. Moses grew up in royalty. He had money. Fame. Luxuries. Anything he could possibly want. He could satisfy any pleasure he could possibly have. But when he saw how his people, the Hebrews, the people of God were being treated, he had a choice to make. Which would he choose: a life of fleshly pleasures, riches, and power? Or a life with God’s people living for Him in righteousness? The Hebrew writer tells us about his choice in Hebrews 11:24-26, “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” Moses could see through Satan’s attempts to deceive him. Moses knew that the pleasures of sin are passing and only lead to punishment by God. Whereas, even though he may have to suffer for the sake of Christ, serving God brought with it an eternal reward.
We are faced with the same choice. Will we choose the fleeting pleasures of sin which lead to Hell? Or will we choose the eternal blessings of Heaven? To help make your choice, consider the following Scriptures. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life — is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17). “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26).
Choose wisely. Choose God. Choose eternal life. By faith.
A Cord of Blue 