Choosing that which sanctifies us

In today's first reading (Romans 6: 19-23), St. Paul reminds us that "...the end of those things [which lead us away from God and the things of God] are death." The end of choosing that which sanctifies us "is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Obviously, sin leads us away from God, away from Love, Justice, and Humility.  In choosing that which is not of God--selfishness, greed, lust, covetousness, envy, jealousy, slothfulness, deceit, murder, idolatry--we experience a death in the here and now.  When our wills are not in harmony with God's will--and deep within we know when that happens--our energies dissipate. Something dies within us. Our true selves or God-selves are disappointed.  On the other hand, when our choices are in harmony with God's plan for us--our sanctification--we sense a Power within us, a joy and a peace of the Holy Spirit, a taste of the fullness of life that Jesus promises; in short, a foretaste of heaven!