Monday, October 24, 2022

“Truth or Consequences” – The Vault

October 24, 2022/in Bible Study, Week 3

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Many years ago, there was a television game show called Truth or Consequences. In the show, contestants would have to answer an obscure trivia question in a very short amount of time or face a consequence. The consequence was usually an embarrassing stunt they would have to perform in front of a live audience. Of course, the questions were rigged for people to fail, and the consequences were about as embarrassing as TV would allow at the time. This prompted the show’s creator to make this statement about himself and his producers, “Aren’t we devils?” You can check out a clip of the show here: Truth or Consequences- 1966 Part 1

This past weekend, we learned about how each choice we make has a cost or consequence. Many times, if we make the right choice, there is also a reward. Unlike the TV show where the contestants only had a matter of seconds to get the truth (answer the question), we often have time to do a cost-benefit analysis when making our decisions.

Life is full of choices—some big, some small. I would argue the most important choice we will ever make is whether or not to accept Jesus as our Savior. Now, some of you may think that’s a no-brainer, while others of you may disagree or have doubts. Some of you may have already made the decision to follow Christ, and some of you may have decided Jesus is not what you want or need in your life. Whatever your choice is regarding Jesus, there will be a cost or consequence.

Choosing to reject Jesus as your Savior results in eternal separation from God. That sounds terrible!

So, what’s the cost for accepting Christ as your Savior? Comfort and convenience. Yes, living the type of life that God requires will take us out of our comfort zones and at times be inconvenient; however, the reward is a fulfilling and rewarding life in this world and ultimately an eternal life with him in heaven.

The decisions we make and actions we take reveal the truth about our priorities, which leads us to this week’s bottom line:

Our actions reveal what we believe about God.

Now, this does not mean that the path to heaven is based on the good works we do while on earth. Our salvation is only granted through God’s grace according to our faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

The bottom line is highlighting that if our belief and faith is in Jesus, our actions will follow his teachings and example.

So, while the Truth or Consequences TV show was fun entertainment, when it comes to our faith in Jesus, the consequences of our life choices have eternal significance.

Matthew 25:31-33

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.”

Continue reading the LIO this week to see what happens to those who are sorted to the right and left of the Son of Man.

Questions:

If you took time to reflect on your daily actions toward others, what would they reveal about your beliefs?

Do you believe the “truth” that Jesus is who he says he is? If not, why?

Next Steps:

Read “The Final Judgment” in Matthew 25:31-46.

Read the LIO this week to learn how to live out the type of life that demonstrates who we belong to and reflects our gratitude for what Christ did for us.

Commit to regularly attending a life-giving church, such as CedarCreek, to share life with others who can help you on your faith journey following Jesus.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I do not want to play a lifelong game of truth or consequences, not knowing the outcome. I believe in the truth that you are the one true God, and I am saved by your grace through my faith in you. Help me to gladly accept the consequences of discomfort and any inconveniences following you may bring. Help me to make sure my actions toward others reflect my belief in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.