I used to think the consequences of actions were in two categories. Category one is consequences we deserved. Category two is consequences we did not deserve. There are things that befall us as a direct result of our wrong actions – such as getting pregnant having unprotected sex, financial ruins caused by bad financial management, etc. That’s category one. But those in category two are the bad things that happen to us seemingly unrelated to our actions – such as someone scraping our parked car, a natural disaster, etc. We don’t have much problem dealing with category one problems. We deserved them. It’s our fault. But we DO have a problem dealing with category two problems. We didn’t deserve them! It’s NOT our fault!

But I realize that that’s not a Christian thought. If we truly got what we deserved, it would be hell – literally. God is so gracious that He protects us – Christians and non-Christians – from experiencing every consequence of wrong doing. That’s the general grace He has provided for mankind. If we experienced every consequence of our wrong doing as well as the wrong doings of others, it would be unlivable.

“I have struck you as an enemy would and punished you as would the cruel, because your guilt is so great and your sins so many… but I will restore you to health and heal your wounds.” Jer. 30:14, 17

Every suffering, heartache, disaster, we deserved. We deserved far worse than the worst we have ever experienced. It is only by the grace of God that we have not experienced the absolute worst – which is hell. And that because Jesus Christ has experienced it for us.

Rejoice in the Lord always. And again I say rejoice! (Phil 4:4)

PH