Good News: Consequences

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

 

 

There are many basic truths of the Christian faith that get lost in day-to-day living of life, or maybe because it is just easier not to think about them.

This reminder recently came to me: the conviction of sin is God’s way of protecting us from the consequences of sin.

Sometimes God gives us a little nudge while our hearts are still only thinking about a sin. When we ignore that “nudge” of the Holy Spirit and start to plan or act on that sin, then He might give us a bit harder nudge as a way of convicting us of that sin – before we have gone too far.

In our minds we tend to think of consequences along physical or material lines. If we steal we might have to make restitution and pay a fine. If we are young, it might involve some kind of community service. There are also penalties for other behaviors that might block us from people we love or doing things we love. An abusive father may be cut off from his children. A wild teenager may be banned from the park.

There are some verses about the consequences of sin pointing to the truth that we might also suffer some spiritual and/or emotional consequences that would hurt us even more.

• Psalm 51:12 shows us that sin steals our joy and brings on guilt.
• Proverbs 28:1 Solomon says that sin produces fear
• Isaiah 30:1 that it opens the door to more sin.
• 2 Corinthians 2:9-11 says that it gives Satan an upper hand over us.
• Ephesians 4:30 says sin grieves God.
• 1 John 3:19 – 21 teaches that it removes the confidence that we find in the Lord.

 

The hardest to take would be from Isaiah 59:1-2. Isaiah warns, “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear, but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”

I am presuming that because he is saying this to someone who prays, that he is saying it to Christians, not unbelievers. The thought that we might talk to God, and because of our sin, He would not listen, is frightening! The verses say that it is not that He cannot reach us or hear us, but that we have chosen sin over closeness to God.

The Bible teaches that our God forgives our sin and removes it as far as the East is from the West. It also promises that this is for those who repent (Acts 2:38, Luke 3:3).

The conviction of sin continues to be a big part of the “Good News” of Jesus Christ.  As we examine our own hearts and confess what is there that might be separating us from God, He forgives us according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7).

Do we want to be spared the consequences of sin? If so, we have to respond to the conviction of it.