Answers
By Billy Graham • July 29, 2015 • Topics: Sin
Q:
Does God always discipline us when we do something wrong? We discipline our children when they misbehave, but it seems like God lets some people get by with their wrongdoing, and they never do pay for their sins.
A:
Sooner or later, our sins always catch up with us—always. Sometimes they catch up with us quickly and forcefully; sometimes it happens only gradually or over a long period of time. But eventually we will pay the price when we rebel against God, either now or in eternity. The Bible warns, “You will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
Part of the problem, frankly, is that we’ve lost sight today of just how serious sin really is. All too often, we think of sin as something minor or unimportant, and we end up thinking it doesn’t really matter what we do or how we live. We may even conclude that there really isn’t such a thing as sin, and there’s no right and wrong. Then we become like the people of whom the Bible speaks: “Everyone did as they saw fit” (Judges 17:6).
But sin is serious because it’s an act of rebellion against the God who made us and loves us. God knows what is best for us, but when we sin, we’re saying that we know better than He does how to run our lives. But that simply isn’t true.
Sin is serious for another reason, however: It sent Jesus Christ to the cross. He took the judgment we deserved, so our sins could be forgiven and we could go to be with Him in heaven. Why not respond by giving your life to Him?
