I’m sure everyone who owns a television, and watches it, has
seen those commercials about new medications. Medicines for everything from
ingrown toenails to balding are advertised daily. One thing these commercials
and products have in common is they all warn you of specific and some dangerous
side effects that can occur with use.
Some of the side effects are minor like dizziness and some as severe as
DEATH!
Life in general carries with it many side effects. Broken
relationships, new jobs, and loss of loved ones all come with different side
effects. Just as there are side effects in the natural, there are in the
spiritual as well.
Have you ever heard the cliche “If you pray you can stay; if
you fast you can last?” How about “pray about everything and worry about
nothing; or “if you don’t stand for Christ, you’ll fall for anything.” They may sound funny but there are scripture
references to back them up!
Luke 18:1 says, “Then He spoke a parable to them that men
always ought to pray and not lose heart (or faint). This scripture lets us know
that one side effect of not praying is losing heart. To lose heart in something
is basically to give up on it; the last thing we need to give up on is God.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to
please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a
rewarded of those who diligently seek Him.” Here we find the side effects of
lacking faith are disappointing God coupled with no reward.
Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the
gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In this scripture there
is one side effect we want and one that we certainly do not! Living for Christ
offers us the opportunity to live prosperously here on Earth and eternally in
heaven. However neglecting to have a genuine relationship with Christ promises
a loathsome demise.
Just as we read the warning labels on our prescriptions, let
us refer to the Word of God as a guide to natural and spiritual health. The
beneficial side effects of serving Christ whole-heartedly are immeasurable.
Think about it.
