While it seems obvious to say, sin has consequences. Everything we do against the holiness of God will subject us to punishment. Despite what many think, or what casual observation appears to reveal, no one can thumb their nose at God and get away with it. Our God is holy and sin cannot exist in His presence. It is only His patient love and goodness that prevents Him from incinerating this world right now.
There have been periods of great evil in the history of our world, and we are certainly living through a devastatingly wicked period right now. God is patient, but He will not remain so forever. Someday, perhaps very soon, the righteous anger of our holy God will be unleashed and destruction awaits all those who refuse to bow to Him as Lord.
Ephesians 5:5-6 is a particularly sobering verse in the Bible: “For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things.” Every one of us can find ourselves on that list. Even if you somehow think you transcend it, all you have to do is look around to see those words describe the general population of this planet.
God will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7). Do not mistake His patience for a lack of concern. No one is pulling anything over on God. As David wrote, the Lord sees everything; He is aware of when we sit down and when we get up (Psalm 139:2-12). The God who judges is the God who sees. Nothing you do is in secret. God will bring every little act or thought to light (Luke 8:17). What defense will you have on that day?
Sin has consequences for all of us unless Jesus covers us with the blood of His righteousness. Without Christ, we will be subject to the full force of the wrath of God. It takes my breath away to contemplate the righteous judgment of God being poured out. No one can stand against His holiness. There is Jesus and life, or there is simply death. Sin has consequences and none are more final than when we breathe our last breath.
Punishing sin does not make God unfair or unjust. On the contrary, punishing sin is the only option for a holy God. Only those God finds blameless will spend eternity with Him. Only those who bow to Jesus as Lord will receive the covering of our sins. To those who reject Christ, to those who think they can live however they want, they are the ones who will suffer the terrible wrath and judgment of our holy and righteous King. There is no hope without Christ, no life without repentance. Each of us must choose Christ or choose to spend eternity in Hell with Satan and his demons. It’s a terrifying picture, but we must recognize sin has consequences. Repent before it is too late.