Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 6/27/2007

Question
QUESTION: When Christians sin, when are they punished for that sin?
When non Christians sin, when are they punished for that sin?
For example: lets assume Kobe Bryant is not a Christian. He committed adultery. The Lakers are not doing very well as a team, and now Kobe wants to be traded to another team. Is this just a circumstance of living or could this be punishment for his sin?  A female is a not a Christian and she has an abortion. Later when she gets pregnant, her baby has downs syndrome. Is that just circumstance or is that Gods punishment for having a abortion. Now lets say a Christian gossips at work, and then starts to have financial problems at home. Is this Gods punishment for sin or just circumstance.  Do you all get punished for sin when the World ends

ANSWER: Charlene,

Christian greetings! Thank you for your questions. They are both
relevant and thought provoking.

Let me begin Scripturally defining sin; to miss the mark, that which is done wrong, sin, an offence, a violation of the divine law in thought or in act. Sin is not only the commission (doing wrong), but it is also omission (not doing what is right).

1 John 5:17
All unrighteousness is sin...

1 John 3:4
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

James 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Everyone is born with a sin nature. This is passed down through the bloodline of Adam.

Rom. 5:12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Gal. 3:22
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

This sin nature dominates and rules the unbeliever (un-saved). But in the life of a Believer this is not the case. At Calvary, Jesus Christ broke the yoke of sin upon mankind. The sin nature of man still remains in place, but it has been rendered powerless. As long as the Christian follows Christ and remains in the vine, the sin nature does not cause any problems. But if we yield to temptation and sin, and then try to overcome within our own flesh, the sin nature then comes alive with disastrous consequences.

1 John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin (sin nature, not acts of sin), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Rom. 6,7,8 (to save room, I suggest you read these chapters)

Charlene, I just wanted to be very clear about sin itself. I hope that this helps you understand sin, and how it opperates in the Christian and the un-believer.

Now to the effects of sin. When a Christian, or a non-Christian commits a sin (commission or omission), the sin itself has a built in consequence. These consequence will be immediate, and long term. Let me explain. If someone (Christian or not) were to murder an innocent person (for whatever the reason) the consequences are the same. The immediate repercussion is that the legal authorities will apprehend the murderer, and if found guilty, he will be put to death (depending upon the laws of the state of course). The long term effects could vary (if he has a family they will be without a father, and have to live with the stigma of a murderer as a father, ect..)

Sin's effects may not be as drastic as this in every case. Some sin's do not have as great a consequence. You may tell a so-called white lie to get out of an uncomfortable situation, and may not have to deal with that lie again. But the repercussions of such action will eventual bring consequences. This is true whether we are talking about a Christian or an un-believer.

To sum the effects of sin, let me say this. The act's of sin (whatever they are) will have varied consequences.

However Charlene, the ultimate punishment for sin is not the
consequences here in this life, but in the life after death. Let me explain...

When the Christian (one who made Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior, and is truly saved, born-again) dies, he/she will not receive eternal life based upon their good works, or the lake of sin. But upon the
relationship they received with Jesus while they were alive. They will enter into the presence of God because of their faith in the finished work of Jesus upon the Cross. However, the rewards they receive in heaven will vary with their deeds done upon this Earth. Some will
receive great rewards, some will receive few.

But when the un-believer (those who reject Christ, and His finished work upon the Cross) dies, they will be cast into eternal punishment (hell). In hell there will be different degrees of punishment. These degrees will depend upon the knowledge and understanding of Biblical truths. In other words, those who knew about Christ, and had an understanding of true Biblical salvation, yet still rejected Him, will receive greater punishment in hell that the one who may have known very little.

Luke 12:46
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.  
12:47
And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.   
12:48
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.  

Charlene, I hope that this clears things up for you. Please let me know if this helps, or if you have any further questions.

Elder Greg Madden
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1





 





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: First thank you for answering my question. Now to make sure i understood your answer. Everyone (believer or nonbeliever) who sins may or may not reap the consequence of that sin, depending on whether or not the sin was discovered.  So while on earth, the non believers are not punished by God; they are punished on judgement day. Whereas, the believer may be punished by God because we are his children, right.  Did I get it right?  Thank you so much for all the scripture references

Answer
Dear Charlene,

Greetings! This is Elder Greg Madden from All Experts.  Earlier this year you asked a question of me in the Christianity Church History category. Because of extending circumstances I was removed from this category. Those situations have been resolved, and I am now reinstated in this category. If there is any way that I could be of further assistance to you please let me know.  

Thanks again, and God bless!
Elder Greg Madden
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1


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Charlene,

I just wanted to make sure you did get this reply to your questions. If not here it is again. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Elder Greg

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Charlene,

I do belive that you have this correct, except for "...depending on whether or not the sin was discovered". This sounds as if you understood me to say that acts of sin commit by a Believer or un-believer will not reap the consequences unless they are caught. This is true, only in the seance that God is omniscient, knowing all things, and no act of sin will go un-discovered. Does that make seance? God knows all, and as the only One who could very be a totally righteous judge, He will mete out those consequences of sin accordingly. He will judge justly.

Also, non-believers will suffer the consequences of sin on the Earth as well as punishment for their rejection of the finished work of Christ on the Cross. Whereas the Christian who sin's, will also suffer the consequences of sin on the Earth, and if he/she does not fully repent and turn from that sin, they could be in danger of forfeiting eternal life.

This may bring up another subject, but I will briefly address the issue just in case. The Bible teaches us that the Christian will be persevered unto the end and be saved because of the power of Gods grace pledged for their support. Also, any saved person who has sinned (backslidden), but has a desire to repent, may do so and be restored to God's favor and fellowship. However, since man continues to have free choice, it is possible because of temptations and the weakness of human flesh for him to fall into the practice of sin and to make shipwreck of his faith and be lost once again.
1 Timothy 1:18,19; John 15:1-7; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 3:14; 2 Peter 2:20,21

Charlene, once again please let me know if this helps, or if you have any further questions.

Elder Greg Madden
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1