Consequences for sin?

 

In a recent study group, one person said that even though Jesus died for our sin, when we sin we still have to suffer the consequences. I’ve heard that many times, but this week God startled me. He said, “Is that biblical?”

I thought of when His OT children sinned, God used it to humble them. In the NT, He “disciplines those He loves” and uses all things for our good. James says:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

Are not some of those “various trials” the result of some sin we do? Is not the testing of my faith to see if I will trust what God has already told me — that all my sin has been covered by the sacrifice of Christ?

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit . . . For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot . . . You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:1–11)

I woke up this morning thinking how God uses my times of disobedience to deeply humble me, to make me realize ways that I am not like Jesus. He is not visiting me with a punishment when I experience sin’s consequences; He is teaching me to trust what He says — I am no longer condemned, even if I feel like it . . .

Therefore, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2:1–4)

There is certain judgment for everyone who does not receive Christ as Savior and Lord, but for those who have received Him, there is no further condemnation, only education to teach realities about sin, about falling short, that I am not as good or as smart as I think I am. The consequences are like a professor’s red marks on a term paper — not to punish but teach me how to do better.

Yes, the OT says disobedience met with just punishment, yet the NT is clear: God sent the solution: redemption through Christ. If anyone rejects Him, they are left with the alternative. BUT if Jesus is accepted, there is no more condemnation — only the classroom where we experience being transformed into His likeness by obedience and by the results of disobedience. Sometimes the consequences are great because they relate to what has been understood. If I sin in ignorance, God is gentler than if I know better and resist Him anyway. But the purpose of what happens is not punishment but instruction and reshaping, consequences that are certainly not meant to be thought of as suffering.

Paying attention to the Word of God means “rightly dividing the word of truth” and remembering that God treats His children differently than those who refuse His Son. They are judged and condemned; we are set free and trained — and will eventually see Jesus and be like Him forever. (More)

PRAY: Thank You Jesus for using all things for good, even my backslidings as part of the lessons needed to shape me into Your image and to give me a greater desire to help others see Your great grace.

PONDER: and worship God that sin’s remedy came to us, as a babe who grew in wisdom and stature and who died for our sin. May this bring all people boundless joy. Think of ways to tell those who need to hear.