The Victims of Sin

I recently read an article in the newspaper (I know, I'm a nerd lol), the article had a list of serial killers/rapists that were active in the Bay Area during the 70s, 80s, and even 90s. It had pictures of many of the killers and then it had under the pictures (it was a front page article type deal), it had a long list of all the victims of these horrible men. It was a rather long list too... reading this article put tears in my eyes because many of the victims were teenage girls that had a lot to offer this world, but never was able to as their life was cut short. These people did not have a choice or have anything to do with being victimized, they were unfortunately just chosen. These men, before they killed them, would often rape, torture, and molest these girls; stripping them of their dignity and their self-esteem, before their life was tragically ended. (A little FYI, I absolutely hate reading or learning about stuff like this! I hate it with a passion). As I was reading the article the thought popped in my mind, "this is a long list of people who were victimized tragically, but there is even a longer and sadder list of people who were victimized by three little letters...sin." The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. We are living in an ever-increasingly wicked world, that is taking people down everyday. I did not take the time to look at the facts, but everyday children are trying drugs, they are trying alcohol, pregnant teens are having abortions. A few years ago a 7th grader walked into the Planned Parenthood facility in our town, a young life ruined by a little something called sin. No matter how many people these men have killed, sin is still in the lead. Everyday there is gang violence and innocent bystanders are killed. Everyday people are bullied and are taking their own lives. Just recently a 17 year old kid beat his parents to death with a hammer and hid their body's in their room and a few hours later had a party. His life is now going to be ruined as he rots in jail for most, if not all of his life. Sin looks oh-so glorious! The devil knows how to make the grass on the other side look a little bit greener than God's side. Those people who were killed did not have a choice in the matter to be killed, but we have a choice to sin or to live right. We choose to sin. He knows how to lie to you and make you chase after sin. Many of these people that have sinned have to live with an absolutely terrible consequence afterward. Sin has consequences. And you have to live with those consequences, and many people choose to go worse into sin and choose to take their own life instead of letting God help them through it. There are consequences, but God will help you through it and make it as good as possible, but the Bible says that you have to turn from your wicked ways. However, the Bible tells us how to counter this, it says to be sober and vigilant. It says to watch and pray. You won't make it if you don't pray. Sin may look good, but let me tell you, its not worth it. Let me leave you with a question before I go on all day: Will you let yourself be a victim of sin? Or will you choose to live right?