The Consequence of Sin

The word consequence means, a result or effect of an action or condition. When we think about sin the way God thinks about it, its consequence can only result in disaster. 

“– you are guilty because of the blood you have shed. You are defiled because of the idols you have made. Your day of destruction has come! You have reached the end of your years. I will make you an object of mockery throughout the world.”    Ezekiel 22:4

Years ago I used to watch a TV show called “Hee Haw.” In just about every episode they featured a song that went like this;

“Gloom, despair, and agony on me. Deep, dark depression, excessive misery”.

When reading Ezekiel 22, that song came to my mind. God had already made some judgments in the preceding chapter. Then the Lord turned toward His people.

“Son of man, are you ready to judge Jerusalem? Are you ready to judge this city of murderers? Publicly denounce her detestable sins. Ezekiel 22:2

Sin is sin and no matter who commits it, they will suffer its consequence. Look at what Peter wrote in his first epistle.

And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.”  1 Peter 1:17

During the time of Ezekiel, Israel lived in extreme sin. Therefore God predicted their punishment. He said, Your day of destruction has come!  

The Sins of Jerusalem

In the next few verses, he listed many of their sinful deeds.

• Leaders in Israel are bent on murder.
• Fathers and mothers are treated with contempt.
• Foreigners are forced to pay for protection.
• Orphans and widows are wronged and oppressed among you.
• You despise my holy things and violate my Sabbath days of rest.
• People accuse others falsely and send them to their death.
• You are filled with idol worshipers and people who do obscene things.
• Men sleep with their fathers’ wives and force themselves on women who are menstruating.
• Within your walls live men who commit adultery with their neighbors’ wives,
• who defile their daughters-in-law, or who rape their own sisters.
• There are hired murderers, loan racketeers, and extortioners everywhere. Ezekiel 22:6-12

When it comes to sin, God does not mess around. He does not mince His words.  Jerusalem did suffer the consequence of its sin just as Ezekiel prophesied. 

Jerusalem did fall just like Ezekiel prophesied. And years later they did repent because of their sins.

The Consequence of Sin Today

God spelled out the consequence of sin for us. I’m not writing this as a scare tactic. I want everyone to know the facts involving the consequence of their sin.

The Book of Revelation records the final judgment. John the apostle said the following.

I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. Revelation 20:12

We call this judgment the White Throne Judgment. Everyone who stands before God at this time will experience the consequence of their sin.

The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. Revelation 20:13-14

No one can escape the consequence of their sin. We can, however, avoid those consequences! Then the next verse in Revelation indicates to us how.

And anyone whose name not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15

Jesus Is the Author of Life

When a person receives Jesus as their Lord and Savior, He writes their name in the Book of Life. Forgiving all your sins and eliminating their consequences.

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12

The bottom line here is this. In the Old Testament, God based punishment on sinful deeds.

In the New Testament, judgment is based on rejecting the only source of salvation in existence. That source is Jesus.

Our choice comes down to a simple decision. Either eternal judgment without Jesus or eternal life with Him.

Lord, thank you for this reminder of the eternal punishment waiting for those who reject Jesus. So now give us a new passion for souls that need you.

P.S. This is for those of you who haven’t made up your mind about accepting Jesus or not. That means you’re standing on the fence. FYI, Satan owns the fence!

Check out these related posts.

• What’s The Best Way To Seek Forgiveness Of Sin?
• When Someone Unintentionally Sins, What Happens?
• How Does My Sin Affect Other People?
• It’s Important To Know How Sinful We Are
• Will God Forgive Me If I Keep Sinning
• How To Be Free From The Slavery Of Sin
• Punishment from God Because of Sin

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