Journal of James's Journey with Jesus

“Consequences of forgiven sin.” That's what's stuck in my mind ever since a speaker at my church said casually. It's probably a theological term but I've I’ve tried validating it with the Bible. It's interesting because I had previously believed that God will take away all the consequences of our sins after we repented. How naïve and unbiblical that thought was.

The list of questions stemming from this simple phrase are: (1) What is biblical forgiveness? Is restoration and forgiveness the same? Does God forgive and yet punish? (2) Are there consequences for forgiven sin? If so, is it from God, Satan, people or ourselves? Will God shield the repentant? (3) Are things from the Old Testament Era still the same in the New Testament Era? Do the same rules still apply?

List of people who highly possibly suffered consequences for forgiven sin: (1) David (2 Samuel 12:13-19 and 1 Chronicles 22:6-8). He sinned against God by committing adultery with Beersheba and killing her husband Uriah. After David confessed his sin, God forgave him and said that he would not die. However, God cast a curse on Beersheba’s child who died in David’s place. Also, David wanted to build the House of God but was rejected as he had much blood on his hands. God sure did forgive him of the blood, but why didn’t He allow David to build the temple? (2) Apostle Paul (Acts 9:13-16). Before He was Paul, he was Saul, persecutor of the Church and accuser of the brethren. On the road to Damascus, he encountered God and was chosen to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, a huge privilege given to the chief of sinners. However, God sounded angry, if not bitter, when He said “For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” This example is however questionable since the other apostles suffered like he did as well. Suffering is after all, the barometer of our faith. (3) The Jews in the Moses generation (Numbers 14:20-23). God pardoned them for their stiff necks and unbelief, but disallowed them from going into the Promised Land.

List of people who highly possibly were spared the consequences of forgiven sin: (1) Moses (Exodus 4:19). God protected him even though he murdered an Egyptian, calling him back to Egypt when all the men who sought his life were dead. (2) Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:10-13). A king of Israel, like the many other kings before him, he sinned against the Lord by worshipping other gods. God punished him by the hand of the Assyrian king, who captured him and brought him to Babylon. However, Manasseh cried out to God and humbled himself. He was then restored to his homeland and kingdom. (3) The Jews (2 Chronicles 6:13-14). Time and time again, the Jews rebelled against God, bringing upon themselves judgement from God. However, each time they repented and whenever they humbled themselves, God restored them.

I know it all sounds confusing and contradictory because there are examples of both consequences and non-consequences of forgiven sin. The only reason this is so is because of something called God’s amazing grace. Let’s use Bible verses to prove this.

The biblical principle of reaping what we sow show that God is impartial and that consequences remain. God’ll go along with our choices; He sure didn’t resurrect Uriah to protect David’s honour. If He didn’t spare a man after His own heart or His chosen people, He sure wouldn’t spare anyone else, whoever they are. And this is good because He will not shield evildoers. Imagine a world where evildoers are not punished. Praise God for His impartiality.

However, the New Testament also tells us that God shines the sun and sends the rain on both sinners and saints. This shows God’s amazing grace and mercy in not giving destruction and death to those who sowed and deserved them. Romans 12:19-21 says, Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. God is the sole Judge and Lawgiver, and vengeance for sin is His alone because none of us are righteous to be qualified to judge others. In the verses above, He shows the important truth that He will judge in His appointed time but for now He seeks to win the evil, unrepentant sinners with good.

Cheap grace? I don’t think so. Beware, if you haven’t learnt the fear of the Lord yet, you have much to fear. It’s weird that we fear thunder and lightning and yet take the Consuming-Fire and Mighty-Wind-That-Split-The-Rocks for granted. It’s funny how we are scared of the devil who is able to destroy our bodies but not God who is able to destroy both our bodies and souls.

So what is the conclusion?

God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The God who inspired the Old Testament is also the God who wrote the new. Forgiveness of sins does not equate to removal of consequences or restoration. It is by the grace of God that we are ever restored because the wages of sin is death, and no one can make anyone alive except God. There are consequences for forgiven sin, and rightfully so, but are from demons, people and ourselves. God is not in the picture here because your sins will find you out and there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed (Numbers 32:23 and Luke 12:2). However, know that confession and repentance are highly regarded by God. Proverbs 28:13 says, He who conceals his sins shall not prosper but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. After all, the truth will set you free.

Our trust in God should not be wavered as Romans 8:28 says, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. In my own words, God takes advantage of Satan’s advantage over us. Satan robbed us of innocence with his deception but God raised us up to a higher standard-holiness. God will use trials and temptations to mould us into stronger Christians. If you’re on God’s side, you will never be on the losing team.