Why Do We Take Chances?
There are a great many things in life that we are not
willing to leave to chance. But many times we will take chances on
things which will affect our lives tremendously. Many will take chances
with their souls. They will reason, “Well, maybe this will be OK,”
“Surely, the Lord will not condemn me for this,” “If nobody finds out...”
Why do we want to take a chance? It is very easy for the Christian
to know what is right, but we seem determined to step out upon the thin ice,
to do that which is questionable. Why do we do it? Perhaps we
want to “be like others,” or “to fit in,” or “try it just once.”
We have some principles to guide us if we will simply
take them seriously. Consider some of the things which will help us.
Look at the following passages of scripture:
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth
it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17).
“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also
so to walk, even as he walked” (1 John 2:5).
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”
(1 Pet 2:21).
Not only do we have these admonitions, but we also have
the responsibility to be examples of godliness to others. Engaging
in questionable practices is failure to take that charge seriously.
The following advice to Timothy is proper for all ages:
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example
of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith,
in purity” (1 Tim 4:12).
Bill Lambert