We hear much about the problem of pain–if God is just, powerful, and good, then why does he allow evil.  This has been the great problem presented to Christians by atheists attacking Christianity and belief in any God. However, there is a greater problem than suffering–the problem of pleasure.

The problem of pleasure is that there is no one so miserable as one who has enjoyed pleasure in every gluttonous way and has nothing else for which to live. One of the great truths is that every pleasure costs something. We either pay the price before the pleasure or we pay the price after the pleasure. God has designed his world so that discipline and restraint results in true pleasure. However, the undisciplined pursuit of pleasure results in harsh consequences. As God has already told us, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

It is easy to pursue illicit activities and relationships. However the end result comes with a harsh price tag. It is godly to live a disciplined life pursuing holiness. In that disciplined life, pleasure is the reward of a righteous journey. Hebrews 12:14 exhorts us to live this life. “To pursue holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

How will your life be lived? We all live in pursuit of comfort. We all live in pursuit of pleasure. The question is when will we pay the price. Will we enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season only to pay the price for eternity? Will we live a disciplined life of righteousness and enjoy the pleasures of Heaven in eternity?