But... There's A Catch...

As believers we talk a lot about forgiveness and that price that Jesus paid for us to have... whatever it is we're wanting at that moment. But don't forget that God is both merciful and just. In fact, He is justly merciful and mercifully just. He stands ready and willing to forgive us of any sin or transgression that we have.

BUT...

There's a catch...

Well, not really a catch, but I just wanted to say it to see if you're paying attention. There's no catch, we are forgiven. However, forgiveness of sin DOES NOT equal absolution of consequences. This is something I'm afraid to say I don't think people grasp or practice in their lives today.

When someone wrongs us or someone else, and then asks to be forgiven, we must forgive them. But, that doesn't mean that if that act they did had consequences, that they too are automatically tossed aside. If we can, we should. However, if someone breaks the law... yes, we can forgive them, but they will still need to answer for their actions.

Forgiveness of sin does not automatically erase your past actions. It merely erases the sin associated with those actions. Let me give a much more obvious and extreme answer. You are in charge of the nursery or children's group at your church. You have a new church member come to you and say that they would like to volunteer and help you in whatever way you need. In their background check, you find that they have been convicted of a crime involving a child.

You would not be able to allow that person to serve with you in the children's dept. Even if they had served their time, moved to a new city and started over. Yes, they are forgiven, but the consequences of their choice still remain. You would then have to talk to that person and gently guide them into another ministry where they could serve. I realize this was an extreme case, but it happens. The lines blur a little as the action or transgression is less severe. But the rule hold true. God sees it this way as well.

In Num 20:6-12 God instructs Moses to speak to the rock to give the Israelites water in the desert. He strikes it. God then tells him and Aaron, that hey will not be allowed to enter the promise land. God did not take them out of leadership. Did not kill them or cast them into hell. God merely gave them a consequence to their sin and did not revoke it.

In your life, don't be quick to judge every negative thing that comes your way as God's judgement or punishment. Some of it could just be consequences of your previous actions. And, the best way to avoid consequences from occurring is to obey the Lord in the first place...

"We drink the water from the wells that we have dug. The thorns that we get pricked with are on the bushes we have sown. Forgiveness of sin IS NOT absolution from consequences. when god allows us to eat the fruit that we have sown, we blame Him saying he is being unjust, when actually, that is the epitome of his justice. "

- Just a thought.