The Consequences Of Sin

THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN​

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:1-10

Sin has consequences.

There, I said it. Sin has consequences. I suppose I could have sugar-coated it, but the facts are the facts. Often, our sin has consequences. Does that mean the Lord has not forgiven us? No, it means that sometimes, there are consequences to those sins that we must endure.

Recently, my husband and I have been trying to communicate this to our children. Our oldest three children are all teenagers. (I’m not sure how that is possible since I am only 18….okay, I’m 18 in spirit. J) My kids come home from school with some pretty ridiculous stories of things that their peers have done. I wish I could get these teens to listen to my wisdom (okay, I’m old!) and save themselves heartache with some of the choices they make. My husband and I use the opportunity to explain the consequences that will likely follow their friend’s bad judgment.

We are not exempt.
Drinking heavily can lead to cirrhosis of the liver.
Drug overdoses account for thousands of deaths each year.
Having unprotected sex outside of marriage can lead to sexually transmitted diseases.
Having unprotected sex outside of marriage can also lead to a child being born.
Marrying an unbeliever can result in disharmony over family issues.
Have I stepped on your toes yet? I am not trying to, but I want all of us to be reminded that sin has consequences. Sometimes the Lord will allow consequences so we will understand our deep need for His grace and mercy to carry us through a situation. When faced with one of the situations I have listed, where would you turn?

Our natural instinct is to want the pain to stop. We want the consequences to be over. Sometimes the Lord may show mercy and the consequences will be swift. Other times, they may last longer. Regardless, the Lord can use each and every situation in our lives to bring glory to Himself and to show us how powerful He is.

Our ministry has seen testimony after testimony of men and women who have turned to Christ. Marriages have been healed, people have been saved, and children that weren’t planned for have been accepted into a restored marriage. Christ has turned lives around!

Ask the Lord to help you turn from your sin. He can take our mess and turn it into His message. He can get the glory despite our failures.

God bless you,

Lori Steinkamp Lassen
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.