It is ultimately man’s sinful nature that separates him from
Holy God. The final punishment for the
unrepentant sinner is an eternity in Hell away from God. While Christians generally agree upon this,
often people ask, “Does God judge some sins more harshly than others while we
are here on Earth?”
We find the answer to this question from general revelation as well as from Scripture:Some sins are so detrimental to the self that God’s world seems to be a miserable place for those who partake in them. For example, Ernest Hemingway wrote, “Of all men the drunkard is the foulest. The thief when he is not stealing is like another. The extortioner does not practice in the home. The murderer when he is at home can wash his hands. But the drunkard stinks and vomits in this own bed and dissolves his organs in alcohol.”
Scripture shows that
God’s punishment is not always specifically prescriptive, however. The Bible
gives numerous examples of harsh punishment from God for a certain sinful act. God removed Saul from the throne of Israel
for his disobedience. (1 Samuel 15:28) David
and Bathsheba lost a child as a result of the commission of murder and
adultery. (2 Samuel 12:14) Ananias and
Sapphira lost their lives as a result of lying to the Holy Spirit. (Acts 5:1-11)
We often don’t
understand God’s motives and reasons for what he does (Isaiah 55:8-9). It is best to remember that all sin is an
affront to God and repent where we err.
Lord, discipline us when we trespass, forgive
us of our sins, and keep us in your care.
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