Many years ago, ABC Evening News reported on an unusual work of modern art…a chair with a shotgun affixed to it. The creator of this bizarre piece of art had the gun loaded and set on a timer to fire at an undetermined moment within 100 years. An integral part of the exhibit was the viewer. Each person who viewed the art work was asked to sit in the chair looking directly into the gun-barrel.

Amazingly, people formed long lines waiting for hours to sit and stare into the shell’s path! Each one knew the gun could go off at pointblank range at any moment, but they gambled that the fatal blast would not happen during their one minute of sitting.

Foolhardy? Absolutely! Yet, many people who would not dream of sitting in that chair live a lifetime gambling that they can get away with sin. Foolishly they ignore the risk until the inevitable self-destruction blasts them. That is precisely what happened to the Hebrews during Moses’ day, about which Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10. They fooled around with sin and lost their lives. Don’t make the same mistake.


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About The Author

Rev. Derl Keefer pastored in the Church of the Nazarene for over 30 years. He currently serves as the Adult Development Ministries Coordinator for the Sunday School Ministries department at the Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center. He received his B.A. in Religion from Southern Nazarene University and his M. Div from Nazarene Theological Seminary. His other books include Let's Get Committed, Wedding Sermons and Marriage Ceremonies, and Open Doors.

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