A very common thought, especially in today’s culture where there seems to be very little boundaries, is “How much can I get away with and not get caught?” or “How much can I get away with and not pay any consequences?”
For example, a young Christian couple gets too close and play with fire and she ends up pregnant. Horror and remorse sets in, let’s suppose, for both. They tell their parents. Decide to put the baby up for adoption (or to keep it). They repent and ask forgiveness for their sin. They are assured they have received God’s forgiveness. Does that take away the consequences of that sin? The answer is, obviously, no. She didn’t suddenly become un-pregnant. The baby didn’t miraculously disappear from her womb. The evidence of their sin will be obvious over the next 9 months or so. The forgiveness and grace of God will also be evident as she and he heal from the recklessness they exhibited.
I know that seems like an extreme example to use, but it isn’t really. All you need to do is go to 2 Samuel 11 for a real life example in the Bible. Two names: David and Bathsheba. The story is pretty well known. David sleeps with Bathsheba and she tells him she is pregnant. David takes it a step further. He has Uriah, her husband, murdered by having Joab, his general, pull back while in battle. That left Uriah unprotected. It was also supposed to give David a clear view of being with Bathsheba. But the prophet Nathan told him a story that fried David and Nathan pointed his finger at David and said, “You are the man!” David was contrite. He fasted and prayed when his son got sick and died. He wrote Psalm 51, a penitent psalm if there ever was one.
But one thing it didn’t change was Bathsheba’s pregnancy; his guilt and shame over Uriah’s death; and the prophecy that a sword will be in his family forever. It found its fulfillment in the rape of his daughter, Tamar, by her half brother, Amnon. Such ugliness from sin. And yet, David prayed and asked forgiveness. David received that and more. But the consequences!!
That same principle applies to me and you. We sin and think no one knows. After all it was done in secret. No eyes saw or witnessed it. Like the embezzler who thinks no one will find out, sin comes to roost. I guess the best thing to do is to not lay the egg to start with. God’s grace is great. God’s forgiveness is matchless. But let’s not take advantage of it nor take it for granted.
The consequences are real and whether or not the consequences become visible to the public or not is really secondary to the consequences it has on my closeness to God and foothold it can give our enemy. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection has removed the eternal penalty, however, sin can change how we interact with God. We run to the fig leaf as if it is going to hide what I have done. Yet God just wants for us to turn away from that which we do in sin and simply find our way back to Him. He is always ready to embrace us and pull us back to Him. We just have to be willing to let go of the anchor that is pulling us down.
Well said Ryan and so insightful! i especially liked the idea of consequences being real but whether they become visible to the public is secondary to what it does my closeness to God.
Your post made me think about the times when someone hurts our feelings or betrays us in some way. Although they may apology, our trust in them is broken. When they realize that, they often say “I already apologized. What more do you want?“ Sin has consequences, but we don’t like to have to live with them.
Agreed Pam! And that relationship will probably never again be the same. To apologize and expect a “forgive and forget” immediately is somewhat arrogant. Sin has its consequences and a broken relationship just be one of them.
One thing that it seems our current day culture is good at is blaming others when things go wrong with us. It isn’t easy or convenient, but we need to own up to the mistakes we’ve made and ask God’s forgiveness and the forgiveness of others we may have hurt along the way. Thoughtful reflection here today, Bill. Blessings!
I so agree with you Martha! it seems that blaming others is par for the course. After all, why should I take the blame for a mistake I made?
Sin leaves an ugly stain and it leaves a path of destruction every time. You can not place sins in different buckets of severity, all sin breaks the Father heart, and is in complete rebellion to our Father. In Psalm 51, David not only repents his sin, but tells the Father I will praise You when You pass judgement on me. You cannot ask for grace and then complain about the judgement and consequences. Father, sin is sin, create in us clean hands and a clean hearts. We know we can run to You in repentance and ask for Your loving grace. Teach us the wisdom to glorify You as we receive judgement. Build in us a desire to sin no more. 1TIM1:17
Love your prayer Gail. “Give me clean hands and a clean heart.” Yes Lord!