6 GRAPES.....

Location: Richmond, Virginia

Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When my cousin and I used to stay over my grandparent's house after Christmas for like a week, we'd play in their backyard that was like a huge field! My Grandma had these big fruit trees all around the yard and we used them to play hide and seek and tag with them. Well this particular Christmas, my cousin got a kiddie golf set, and we were playing with it outside. I had got one too, so we pretended to sword fight with them. Then, because I was a kid, I decided to swing at the trees, knocking down fruit and leaves and flowers.

She had these BIG HUGE grape trees and I was just swinging away at them without a care in the world.

So later, my Pop-Pop came out of the house, and called for us front and center. He was a military officer, so he treated us like soldiers. He held out his hand and asked us one easy question.

"Did you do this?"

Being the kid I was, (btw, I was the slickest of the slick, ask about me), I replied:

"We were hitting on the trees, but I don't know if those were because of us."

.....

Even my cousin looked at me like,

"SERIOUSLY?"

Then, my Grandfather said something to me that I will never forget.

He said:

"YOU COULD GO TO HELL OVER SIX GRAPES."

I knew what he meant, he knew what he meant, and I was humbled on the spot.

With that, he turned around and went inside.

I tell you to this day, I do NOT lie.

I may feel bad about the truth sometimes, but I will always remember that.

And he's right. I could have. I look at all the things I know I've had no business doing, but didn't care, because sin was more comfortable and convenient for me. I realize that when I die and go to judgement, I'm gonna watch my life and it will be required of me to make an account for all I've ever done.

It's important that I stress this point. This judgement is for everyone.Your life is one big Youtube video. Everything you've ever thought, said or done is being recorded as we speak, and can either work for or against you.

For some people, IT'S GONNA SUCK.

Think about your life and what you are about. Is it pleasing to God? Is it wretched? You're old enough where you know right from wrong, and if you don't, you at least know who to consult about putting your life in the right direction. How is your application looking? Are you following God's word?

If your life is not acceptable in His eyes, I encourage you to ask for forgiveness, as I have. Of course, none of us are perfect,but the closer and closer you get to God (the truth), the further and further you fall away from grapes (the lie).

God bless you.