LightGrams
July 31, 2025
Volume 29, Number 23
Anyone who is a roller coaster enthusiast probably knows about Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. According to Wikipedia, it’s the second oldest continuously operating amusement park in the U.S., having first opened in 1870. Another of its claims to fame is that it now boasts 17 roller coasters.
The newest roller coaster, “Siren’s Curse”, opened on June 28. It’s billed as the first “tilt” roller coaster in the U.S. Riders are carried 160 feet upward, then comes to a stop; the track detaches and connects to track which points 90-degrees downward. When it’s working, riders reach a speed of 58 mph as they descend. Note that phrase, “when it’s working”.
On July 28 the ride malfunctioned – for the fourth time since opening. The riders were already facing down, and they were held in that position for about ten minutes before repairs were made. Everyone was able to exit the ride safely. As I read that story I wonder, “Why would anyone pay money to get on ‘Siren’s Curse’?” Those folks on July 28 definitely got a thrill!
In Romans 6 Paul discussed a wild ride that always has deadly consequences. People usually know that the sin they choose to participate in has serious effects, yet they think, “It won’t happen to me.” Paul gave this warning about sin of any type: “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slave whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).
Proverbs 23 gives a good example of such slavery. In verses 29-34 Solomon describes the harsh effects of wine and mixed wine. Even though it “bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper”, the person who is enslaved to alcohol still says, “When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”
Does anyone ever intend to become addicted to harmful substances (alcohol, drugs) or lifestyles (gambling, pornography, etc.)? “It won’t happen to me!” they think, but it does happen. Millions of Americans are now slaves to these harmful lifestyles, stranded on a ride that has them facing a steep vertical descent. They never wanted this to happen!
Romans 6 doesn’t just contain warnings about sin, but it also features good news: “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves to God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life” (Romans 6:22). And how is one set free from sin? Look back to verses 3-5 of Romans 6 and see what the apostle said must happen in order to “walk in newness of life”.
This quote is attributed to Kay Arthur: “Sin will take you farther than you ever expected to go; it will keep you longer than you ever intended to stay; and it will cost you more than you ever expected to pay.” Isn’t it time to accept the Lord’s help to get off this wild ride? It’s definitely time to take seriously the Bible’s warnings about sin.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
~~~~~
Copyright, 2025, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.