Consequences But Forgiven - hmm 🤔

     Oftentimes, the terms consequences and forgiveness are misunderstood.  A believer can be forgiven.  But, the harsh consequences often remain.  God is a forgiving God and HIS SON, Yeshua HaMaschiach (Jesus Christ) entered this world for the forgiveness of our sins. ✝️

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

    Throughout the Old Testament, the children of God would sin (fall into apostasy, embrace idol gods and live a life of wickedness).  They would repent and then GOD would deliver them.  During the time of the Judges, this pattern of rebellion lasted for about 400 years.  When the Israelites sinned, there were natural consequences.

• They were oppressed by their enemies.

• They were enslaved by their enemies.

    During these times, they lived a life that the Most High God did not intend for them to live.  Because they chose to sin, they had to suffer the consequences!  When they made a decision to return to GOD, HE delivered them.

2 Chronicles 7:14

 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land".

Although God restored them, their forgiven state did NOT erase the consequences of their past!

• It did NOT erase the fact that they were delivered into the hands of the Philistines for nearly 40 years (Judges 13).
• It did NOT erase the fact that they were oppressed by the Babylonians.

    There are many other examples throughout the Bible. In the New Testament, we get a glimpse of just how a forgiven state does NOT erase the consequences of the past.  Paul killed many believers prior to his conversion. While en route to Damascus to kill more believers, Paul experienced the power of God and became a believer! His conversion did NOT resurrect the Christians that he had previously murdered. The fact that he had once murdered followers of CHRIST is a consequence that he had to deal with for the rest of his life. He went on to write many epistles in the New Testament.  He established churches throughout the world.  So much of what we believe is based on his apostolic calling.  Yet, the consequences of his past were NOT erased.

Here is the takeaway.  When we sin, the natural consequences are often still very much a part of our lives.  Although we no longer do that sin, the consequences often remain. Although we are forgiven, the consequences remain.  And they will remain until God chooses to lift them IF he so chooses.

Call to Action - Examine your life.  Is what you are dealing with a natural consequence of a past sin?  Have you repented?  If so, allow the consequences to be a reminder to NOT do that sin again.  GOD is a just GOD and will forgive us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.