Without Consequence

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and announce to her that her time of forced labor is over, her iniquity has been pardoned, and she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

Isaiah 40:2 (HCSB)

Convinced that his secret would remain safe, a married man—a leader in his church—decided to have an affair with another woman. He told himself that after fifteen years of marriage, it would be nothing more than a fling, a matter of little consequence; surely God would forgive his transgression, and life would return to normal. Three years later—just when he thought the matter closed and that no one would ever find out—the pastor summoned him to his office to question him about it. He tried to lie his way out of the situation, unaware that the woman in question knew a member of the congregation.

"Why didn't God protect me and prevent my sin from being discovered?" he cried out. "Am I the only one who commits adultery? Haven't I been faithful for the past fifteen years? Just this once, and God has humiliated me like this before everyone." Instead of severely reprimanding him or taking disciplinary action, the pastor simply invited him to repent, adding: "God took the initiative to reveal the gravity of your sin to you; it is no longer up to me to make a decision against you." God allowed the people of Israel to suffer because of their sin. After years of captivity and suffering, God decided to reveal to His people that He would deliver them from their affliction, for the time of atonement for their transgression had passed.

We often think that a seemingly trivial sin will have no impact on our lives or the lives of those around us. And if everything seems to be going well, we commit it from time to time, without realizing that one day, God might decide to discipline us. We tend to downplay our sin, regarding it as inconsequential. This is where we often go astray. For God may allow us to suffer the public consequences of our sins for a time. Do not think your sin is insignificant simply because it harms no one; even an evil thought grieves God. If God is pained by it, imagine the impact it has on those around you. God never approves of a sin on the grounds that it is inconsequential. He cares as much about your sanctification as He does about your salvation.

May the grace and peace of God be with you.