How I wish there was an immediate consequence to our actions! That would be good for us! 

One of the most frightful facts of life is that the consequence of our action does not come to us immediately. Because there is no immediate consequence to our action, we think it’s no big deal, and therefore we keep on doing it. Until later, we DO inevitably pay for the consequences. 
For example, there are students in my classes who are not doing any work. They are failing and yet, for now, there are no consequences. They still get to sleep on their warm beds, eat their 3 square meals, and play their video games. But soon reality will hit and they will suffer the consequences of either having to retake the courses they failed, or worse live a life of hard labor and servitude. 
This is no different spiritually. When we move away from Christ, there is no immediate consequence. There might even be a sense of freedom – we can finally do as we wish. We can “enjoy” all that this life has to offer to us. But at what cost? 
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.” 2 Peter 3:10If only my students will buckle down and study for these few years, they will reap the benefit for the rest of their lives! 
If only we will buckle down and deny ourselves the pleasures of this world for a few short years (and trust God), we will reap the benefit for the rest of eternal lives!
PH