The sign at the petrol station cashier indicated clearly that only people above 18 are allowed to buy cigarettes. Then there are indications on magazines that mark “mature” themes. I wonder what they are. Do they mean that there are magazines with immature themes?

The question in my mind was this: “Is there an age limit before one is allowed to sin?” Do all those signs tell us that one can, therefore, smoke cigarettes as long as one is above 18 years old? Or, for that matter, watch pornography once that age limit is reached? To stretch it to its logical conclusion, it means that when you reach “legal” age, you are allowed to “kill” yourself. If that is the case, then 18 years old is a very dangerous age, is it not? If the people and the government are really convinced that smoking is bad for the health, then more drastic measures should be taken to stop it. A ban on the product would be a good start. Likewise, the holding on to the ban on pornography instead of “relaxing” the standard.

A sin is a sin, big or small, old or young. Its wage is death and there are no discounts. All of us will be judged equally, regardless of black or white. God is not interested in the so called democratic process or “people’s power”. God is sovereign and His actions are just. He will not waver, like politicians, under pressure to agree to what is wrong. He cannot be mocked, so let us not fool ourselves. There is no legal age to sin.

The Word of God exhorts us to grow to maturity in Christ. We are to keep growing in our spiritual life, which is intertwined with our physical life. There is no separation between them. When we spend our time in living a life worthy of the Gospel (believe me it takes up all your time), we have no time for vices like smoking, gambling or pornography.

Do not be fooled into thinking that we can be “old” enough to be wise not to touch the vices. Look again and see who are the ones committing all the offences, the so called “legal” aged people.

Let us, therefore, move on to grow and walk in the light of God. That is our inheritance and eventually our blessing.

 

 

God bless!