There are consequences for our actions. This is something we all need to take seriously. One of my siblings got divorced, and their children were impacted and still are today as adults. The Lord can work through our sinfulness, but that doesn’t take away the consequences of what we have done. Galatians 6:7Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.[1]
Adam and Eve Faced Consequences
God loved Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden. They were without sin, and the Lord gave them only one thing they could not do. Genesis 2:16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” [2]
Although God’s instructions were clear, Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord when the serpent tempted Eve to eat from this tree. Eve ate from this tree and gave some to her husband, who was with her. Sin is like an attractive fishing lure until we bite into it. The consequences for Eve would be painful childbirth; for Adam, the ground would be cursed, so it was not as productive for growing their food. In addition, Adam and Eve would someday die and return to the dust of the ground.
Consequences That Led to Repentance
Consequences can be painful, but they can also correct us and put us on a better path. God does not give up on Adam and Eve, and He does not give up on us. When consequences lead to repentance, it can be transforming. When I repent, it is not just guilt or regret. We can be sorry because of consequences but not have a heart change.
Genuine repentance is motivated by my desire to please the Lord and turn away from sin. True repentance causes me to learn from my mistakes so I am less likely to repeat them in the future. In addition, repentance is a powerful spiritual weapon against temptation. When our enemy satan brings a temptation of something we have repented of, we can say, “I have repented of that.” The Lord healed me, and I am not going back to it.
Isaiah, the prophet, gives insight into the gift of forgiveness when we repent of our sins. Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. [3]
To learn about the consequences for our actions, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/beginnings-fall
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.