THE BOTTOM-LINE

Life is a journey of many twists and turns. We are pulled on many different directions, by many different forces. We make choices and arrive at conclusions, based on our desires, likings, preferences and decisions. It is we who choose to walk a certain path, is the BOTTOM-LINE, whatever may be the reasons that may have influenced us in the process. Nothing happens by accident or unintentionally. If we look closer and deeper to where we have arrived, we will see the choices we have made. 

What we should never ever forget is that, the choices we make have consequences, whether we like them or not. We have the freedom to choose whatever we wish to do, but we do not have the freedom, to choose our consequences.

Consequences are the result of the choices we have made. So it is good for us to be careful in what we choose. For example – we can kill people left right and centre, by the brute power we have, trod upon justice and righteousness, and then claim to ourselves innocence, and call ourselves just and fair. Life doesn’t work that way, isn’t it? Let us never ever forget, that every single thing we, think, speak and do, will be called to account, by God our Creator. He is impartial, righteous, just and has no favourites – be it a Jew or a Gentile. 
– “13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
– “7 For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.” – Ecclesiastes 5:7
– “12 “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?” – Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Therefore, we are exhorted by the LORD God Almighty, through what He commanded, in the Word of God, to be careful with our choices, because, every choice has a consequence…
– “36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” – Matthew 12:36-37
– “9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.” – Ecclesiastes 11:9
– “31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”* – Acts 17:31
– “12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” – Romans 14:12
– “16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. 17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.” – Ecclesiastes 3:16-17
– “16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. 17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. 18 He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. 19 Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” – Deuteronomy 10:16-19

May the LORD help us to remember always that, God will bring into judgement ever hidden motive and intent. He Himself will judge us impartially, with His righteous justice, which is fair and upright, in all its judgements, regardless of whatever justifications, reasons and excuses we may give to ourselves, and to all that we think, speak and do. This is the “BOTTOM-LINE” we are to remember always. Therefore, let us fear God, and obey Him, for He has no favourites – Jews or Gentiles. Let us, therefore, always desire to walk in His ways, with all honesty and integrity. Even so the LORD help us.