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A
visitor hit the website (www.discoveringhim.org)
through an AOL search engine and they put in the quote “God
consequences
for abortion”. This really hit me
hard. I realized that I had written an article on abortion. I
wanted to see the outward consequences for abortion and realized
even though I did not see the consequences that did not change
God justice. God is just and He decides what the consequences
are for abortion for each individual.
The reason I wrote the paper was because I had been working at a
pregnancy counseling center and was attempting to direct woman
in alternative methods other than abortion. I realized that even
though I could not give them the obvious outward signs of making
the wrong choice God is always just and He knows what He is
doing all the time. Of course there are always consequences for
sin, God never changes no matter what sin we commit. He does not
overlook our sin. He is merciful and forgiving but not
uninvolved. In my own words my final thought was that it is none
of my business what God does. He is just and will always do the
right thing and God corrects our sin.
As I was looking at the quote put in the search engine I
realized that attempting to determine God’s consequences for
abortion is not the real question; the real question is “What
are the consequences for sin?” God is Holy. We seem to think
that God does not notice all our sins. This is not true. God is
Holy, Holy, and Holy. What He allows is a new covenant in which
the blood of Jesus Christ covers us from our sins and presents
us Holy before God because we can come no other way.
God is merciful. I find it easier to look at myself as a
defendant in a jury trial. I am accused of doing the wrong thing
(sin). I come before the throne of a Holy God. In this
particular incident my desire to reach others was coming from my
desire to do good by showing others the disadvantage to sin.
However, I had insulted the true character of God because I did
not see the consequences for sin so I insulted God's justice. I sinned.
I did not see the outward consequence for abortion but I saw the
outward consequence for keeping a baby. I had depicted God as
unjust. I was wrong. I go to His throne and
throw myself on the mercy of the court. My judge (God) not only
loves me, I also know that I want His correction so that I can
be drawn closer to His presences.
God’s mercy is extended for our sin. We need His mercy. What I find
amazing is the mercy shown by others for something they say is
not really a big deal even though it is sin.
For example, God speaks to each of us and expects different
things from us. I was talking to the pastor’s wife. She was
discussing many issues in her life and I enjoyed listening. I
knew that she had a lot of responsibility and I was eager and
willing to help with anything that I could do for her. I would
bring snacks for church fellowship. I printed the bulletins,
cleaned the kitchen, created PowerPoint presentation for the
sermon etc.
However, one day I was truly distraught over my disobedience.
God had told me many years ago that I was to spend at least 20
minutes a day in His word. Of course, I did not do this one day
and was truly sorry for my sin. There were times in the day that
I could have done this but got too busy and then forgot. She
told me this was not a big deal. When is disobedience not a “big
deal”? Never! When God tells us to do something we are to do it.
I did not need a sense of mercy from her what I needed was mercy
from God. I did not want this brushed aside as if it were not
important. It was important. It was my responsibility. It was
His instructions that I had not obeyed.
I wanted to hear
a sense of correction from her with the conclusion of God’s
mercy. Here is what I wanted “Joanna, you were wrong. If God had
told you to have time with Him each day and you did not, you
sinned. However, God loves you and misses you and your time with
Him is really for your own good. It is wonderful to God’s heart
to see your sincere desire to show Him love through your
obedience to Him. He not only loves you but is merciful. You
sincere and heartfelt acknowledgement of your sin does not go
unnoticed before God. I am glad that you do not attempt to
justify your sin or lessen its distaste before God, but remember
that He loves you and ask for His Holy Spirit to comfort and
console you in this time of repentance.”
We are accountable for
everything we do in life. If we want God’s will in our life, we
have to obey God’s will. Anything done against what He has
instructed for us to do is sin. We must treat sin for what it is
which is Sin. Sin separates us from God because God is holy.
So back to the question,
“What are the consequences for sin?” God, who is just, sees us
and knows us. He dispenses the sentencing for our sin. Throw
yourself on the mercy of the court and ask for God’s mercy for
your sin. Please don’t ever lessen or justify sin, don’t insult
our loving and merciful God with your own excuses or attempt to
explain to God that you made the “right” choice when you sinned.
Also, never tell another believe that it doesn't really matter
and it is not a "big deal" when they acknowledge their
sin. Tell them about the mercy and love
of our awesome and wonderful God.
The verses that best describe our attitude towards any sin that
we commit is best demonstrated by David in the book of Psalms.
This was written after David had been with Bathsheba. He threw
himself on the mercy of a loving God. However, remember that God
has given you an even greater opportunity to present yourself
righteous before His throne by the covering of the blood of
Jesus Christ.
Psalms 51:1-17
1 Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your
lovingkindness;
According to the multitude
of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my
iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my
transgressions,
And my sin is always before
me.
4 Against You, You only, have I
sinned,
And done this evil in Your
sight—
That You may be found just
when You speak, And blameless when You judge.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in
iniquity,
And in sin my mother
conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the
inward parts,
And in the hidden part You
will make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall
be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be
whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have
broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my
iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O
God,
And renew a steadfast
spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your
presence,
And do not take Your Holy
Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your
salvation,
And uphold me by Your
generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors
Your ways,
And sinners shall be
converted to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of
bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing
aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show
forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice,
or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt
offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a
broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite
heart—
These, O God, You will not
despise. |
