“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8
A fifth lie that most want to believe is, forgiveness eliminates consequences. Paul’s promise to the Galatians is frequently referred to as The Law of the Harvest. Here we see that God will ensure justice, irrespective of His willingness to forgive.
The Psalmist promises: “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”1 This promise is frequently applied to New Testament believers with the assumption that when God judges them He will not call attention to their past sins. Two things call into question this conclusion: first, God did not make this application to the nation of Israel when it sinned. Second, it is counter to the teachings of the whole of Scripture.
Forgiveness restores the relationship, but it does not eliminate the consequences; it never has and it never will. A teenage child takes the family car against the express wishes of the parents, and dents the fender. Returning to the parents he begs forgiveness. After the parents grant forgiveness, the child says, “Wonderful, now I do not have to repair the dented fender.” When the parents suggest that this will not happen, the child asks, “Then what is the value of forgiveness?” The parents respond, “Restoration of the relationship.” If restoration of your relationship with Jesus Christ is insufficient when He forgives. He has nothing more to offer you.
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1 Psalm 103:12
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