More on Consequence

Message / Question

Thanks for answering my question. But, if Jesus was alive today, if someone sins, he would just tell them not to do it again, like he did with the prostitute. He didn't say "God will forgive you but you need to live with the consequences". That's cruel, don't you think?

Response

If the woman caught in adultery, whom Jesus told to “Go and sin no more”, happened to be pregnant when Jesus spoke to her, I suggest that He would have still said exactly the same thing. When someone sins, the best advice that can be given to them is to stop sinning and that’s exactly what Jesus said to the adulterous woman. Having said that however, her ceasing from sin would not have undone the consequence of her adultery if that consequence was that she had fallen pregnant - she would still have to live with the consequence of her action. I knew a man who became a Christian but had committed some offenses years before coming to Christ. That man was now righteous before God and had turned completely from his sin. However, one day his past caught up with him and he was arrested, faced court and sentenced to a term in prison. The reality is that there are sometimes natural consequence that follow our actions and, even though we may repent, turn from sin and be truly changed, we may still face the natural consequences of the things that we have done. Whilst I personally don’t support the death penalty, the Bali 2 were examples of the law of consequence. They knew that the penalty for drug smuggling was death, but they chose to do it and, as a result of their capture, the consequence of their action was ordered to be carried out. It was wonderful to see that they became changed men whilst the long and drawn out legal process was followed. One even became a Christian Pastor and I have no doubt at all that it was all genuine – he had repented and changed; he had God’s absolute forgiveness. But the consequence of his criminal activity had to be faced and, sadly, this meant that he was executed. One of the thieves crucified next to Jesus, repented and was told by The Son of God Himself that he was forgiven and would be accepted into Heaven – but he stayed on the cross and died there as a consequence of his crimes. Is it cruel to say that we still have to face the consequences of our actions? No, but it may be cruel NOT to tell someone and leave them in a state of spiritual shock when those consequences catch up. A wise counsellor will tell you that any natural consequence may still need to be faced and then stand with you through the tough times.