But, my friends, the only thing we ever deserve is death. Paul said, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth,” (Rom. 1:18). Ungodly and unrighteous are descriptions of us before our justification. The scriptures tell us that all of us are sinners and we all deserve death (Rom. 3:23). Apart from Christ we are maggots and worms (Job 25:6), and children of wrath (Eph. 2:3). We were “by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind,” because we all lived “according to the passions of our flesh,” (Eph. 2:3). In our natural state we did not please God (Rom. 8:7-8), but desecrated his name. This is who we were and death is what we deserved. Yet, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” (Rom. 5:8). This is the gospel my friend. Jesus Christ loves you and I so much that he took on the wrath of God and died for our sins. In doing so he gave us life. The scriptures tell us that, “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ," (Eph. 2:4-5). Furthermore, “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them,” (Eph. 2:8-10). We are called to live according to the will of God so that we might glorify him—that we might do what we were created to do (Isa. 43:5-7).
Now, I want to challenge you (and myself) to remember what we deserve whenever we are tempted to complain or whenever we think we have the right to do this or do that. As a believer, there are many things you should not do because they either tempt you to sin and/or dishonor God. My friends, there are many movies and tv shows you should not watch because they make provision for the flesh and teach you to live according to your flesh. There are many songs you should not listen to because they do likewise. Our God is “Holy, Holy, Holy,” and we should not associate ourselves with things that are not righteous. Which movies should you not watch? Or songs should you not listen to? I do not have to say because you already know. Everytime you listen to or watch it you feel conviction. Heed it my friend. Before you complain that you are free to do as you please, stop and remember that you deserve hell and then remember Christ’s act of love. Christ died for our sins, and too many of us thank him by justifying our living according to the flesh, which is not thanks at all. Instead of heading other believers’ warnings we label them as legalists to shut them up. Oh my friends, heed their warnings! God’s wrath is something to fear. He said to the Israelites, “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel, (Jer. 18:6). So will I break this people and this city, as one breaks a potter's vessel, so that it can never be mended,” (Jer. 19:11). The Lord says, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength,” (Jer. 17:5). Instead of making excuses, “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires,” (Rom. 13:14).
This does not just apply to movies and music, but to all of our actions. Consider every, and I mean every, action you do. Consider whether it is really out of a desire to glorify God and whether it accomplishes just that or not. We are called to walk in the light, so let us walk in the light. Let us believe the word of God and trust that real freedom, joy, and peace are found by walking down the narrow way. Giving up that one movie for the sake of abundant life, isn’t it worth it? Isn’t your hearts to desire to give thanks to God for your salvation? Therefore, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect,” (Rom. 12:2).