First, let me say that I TRULY appreciate the times that y'all are able to take a moment, consider these questions, and then type out an answer! I know I'm asking for a significant investment of your time, and I really am blessed, too, being able to read your comments. I enjoy hearing your input, and many times there are wonderful things to be learned from our collaborations!
So let's put our heads together again today, shall we?
We discussed so many things in the past two weeks, as we worked our way through Psalm 25. We talked about our sins, poor judgment calls and mistakes, and much more! We discussed trials and deliverance, and carefully (and honestly) examining our hearts.
Keeping our study of Psalm 25 and the life of David in mind, here's our question for today:
Does God remove some or all of the consequences of our sin when we repent? Why or why not? If you have time, leave an answer in the comments and support your answer from scripture. (You may wish to refer to II Samuel 12, along with other passages of your choosing.)
Thanks in advance for your prayerful discussions and feedback - they mean the world to me!
For the most part, even though our sins are forgiven and we no longer bear the eternal consequences of them, we do bear the temporal consequences. And not only do we bear them, but those around us do as well. Examples from scriptures..... Joseph and his brothers. They all bore the consequences of their sins, although God eventually used it for good. Samson..... imprisoned and blinded as consequence for his sin. David and his relationship with his son Absolom and also the death of the child from Bathsheba. Jacob and his exile after stealing Esau’s birthright and the fear and guilt he felt ever after regarding his brother. Also, Jacob’s sin of favouritism of his children effected their relationship with each other. I think it is often the consequences of our sins that God uses to drive us to Him, to cry out for deliverance and forgiveness. Could He remove those consequences afterwards..... yes, if He chose to. But most of the time those consequences remain. Perhaps as a testimony to His faithfulness and mercy to broken sinners. And perhaps for us to use in our witness and testimony to Him. We can look at others enduring the same consequences and empathize with them and point them to the one who forgives and can turn the bitterness of those consequences to blessings.
ReplyDeleteI think Cathy has said it excellently. I would only add that the consequences of the sins of believers in Jesus will only last until we see him face to face. Maybe those consequences will go before then, but if they don’t completely then it should be a spur for us to keep on keeping on.
ReplyDeleteI think Cathy said it better though!
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