Forgiveness is divine—but does it always dissolve the consequences of sin? Grace redeems the soul, but scars may still speak. In the space between mercy and memory lies the journey of true restoration.
The case of Adam and Eve raises a serious concern in the subject of consequences and Forgiveness of sin. We can observe in Genesis 3:16-19 (KJV):
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
The Lord himself said this after their disobedience.He could have chosen not to issue such profound consequences that have Influenced all men who is born by a woman. These was the transgression of one man yet it implications cut through time . Should the outcome have gone this far ??
Was God under oat or binded by spiritual laws that necessitated such judgment?
This was not the only instance in the scriptures, Take David whom God called " the apple of his eye", he sinned and suffered greatly fot it even though he was forgiven.
The interplay between forgiveness and consequences must be studied closely to understand their interdependence and how one one influence the other . Their is a general law in the scriptures. Ezekiel 18:20:
The soul that sinneth, it shall die..
Although this law was first sighted in the Old testament, does it apply to the era of the new testament? we find a strong correlation in Romans 6:23:
"For the wages of sin is death..."
This affirms that sin has a transaction attached to it - *Death* . But could this *Death* comes in different forms or expressions ?. Death doesn't necessarily means cessation of Life but it's a form of another life. It's a transitioning to another consciousness or reality. When Adam and Even signed, they were expelled from the presence of God , the first consequences stated was:
Genesis 2:17 (KJV)
" ...but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die"
This "Death" came by separation from the source - God.they were sent out of Eden and that disconnection birthed , Guilt ,shame and fear .
Death, then , as a wage of sin is the entrance into a cursed life, a life of limitations, God's presence doesn't support death but Life. But Paul the writer of Romans offered offers hope:
Romans 6:23 : "....but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"
This brings us back to the question: even though the gift of God has been established through the death of Jesus Christ eliminating all Legalities created by Man's transgression. Will Man still suffer the consequences of his sin after being forgiven ?
To a certain degree - Yes. Although these consequences may not linger long because of an Advocate in Christ (1John2:1)whom we approach when we sin. however, the presence of darkness could still open door to darkness manisfesting as guilt, low self esteem , depression etc. Many wallow in these state and never recovered which as a result lived a life that is disconnected from God . that is Death!!! - living yet not alive to God .
Remember, every consequences may not tarry because of a legality which was established by the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ wheein we can plunge into the resources of mercy and ask and receive Forgiveness.
The story of Peter is intriguing as an example even when his denial was prophecied , Peter denied Jesus and the moment it happened (Luke 22:54-62):
"...And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly"
What came after wasn't peace of mind but bitterness and resentment because he knew he had sinned against God , that inner turnmoil was a consequence of his sin , it could have escalated into something else if Peter had not repented. But the beauty of repentance is that it has the ability of restore what was lost , the mechanism is designed in such a way that it could triple the restoration such as though you were New .
The life Jesus introduced in the new testament through Faith in His finished work is a fundamental resources for living beyond the consequences and bondage of sin. By repentance Peter was restored , David was restored even Paul who once persecuted the church was restored.
I do not write this to instill fear or to mechanize Holy living but to acknowledge Life through Jesus Christ and the gracious provision of repentance, such beautiful tool for restoration. Even when we fall we have a hope through Christ who shall strengthen us and restore us into salvation.
Shalom
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