In 1.2, we looked into how we get into troubles for doing the wrong things. We discovered that we get into them through intentional and unintentional rebellion. Rebellion is doing things that are contrary to God’s will.
Let’s look at how these type of troubles can affect us.
When you get into troubles for doing the wrong things, you suffer for disobeying God’s principles and precepts. Ignorance is neither an excuse for engaging in rebellion nor a reason to be exempted from suffering the consequences of your rebellion. Paul says, ‘Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life’ (Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV).
When we rebel against God, we put ourselves in complicated situations. Rebels suffer many losses and pain. Sometimes, rebellion could even cost you your life.
If you’re caught as a thief, you may spend some years in prison. A child molester or murderer can spend his or her entire life in jail. A careless or inattentive driver may cause a serious accident that can lead to much pain and losses. All those who deliberately refuse to inquire about Jesus and accept Him as their Lord and Saviour slowly walk down the road to hell; a place of eternal torture and torment.
The type of pain and suffering you endure as a result of rebelling against God depends on the type of rebellious acts you commit. Rebellious actions are uncountable, so are their consequences.
By committing adultery and murder, David became a fugitive for many years and saw his own son sleeping with his concubines in broad daylight (2 Samuel 11). On his way into Egypt, Abraham kept part of the truth when he said that Sarai was only his sister (Genesis 12:10-20). Consequently, his wife Sarai was taken from him into Pharaoh’s palace. If not of God’s intervention, Abraham could lose his wife to the king for good.
Haman had a plan to annihilate all the Jews from the Persian kingdom (Esther 3). But God didn’t allow this devilish plan to flourish. He died as a result of his own evil snares. Ananias and Saphira died instantaneously because they lied to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11). Korah and his companions all perished for exalting themselves against the assembly of the Lord (Numbers 16). Solomon married foreign women and found himself worshiping foreign gods (1 Kings 11). Solomon’s rebellion also caused many people to suffer among his descendants.
The consequences of rebellion against God can be disastrous especially if we don’t handle the situation God’s way. We should always be ready to acknowledge our rebellious actions and bear the consequences that follow. But in the New Covenant, God through Jesus is willing to give us the grace to live above rebellion. Even when we rebel against Him and suffer for it, He brings relief. Despite being a just God, His mercy surpasses judgement (James 2:13).
It is helpful to examine your suffering diligently to establish whether it is as a result of rebellion or not.
The next post explores God’s way out of rebellion.
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