Does Sin Lead To Punishment?

Last night I was reading from Luke's gospel, and had to stop and reflect on what Jesus was saying in the following verses - Luke 13:1-5 NIV:

[1] Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. [2] Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? [3] I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. [4] Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them---do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? [5] I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

These verses are addressing the common belief that bad things happen to bad or sinful people.  I have written about this topic previously, and it is always good to reflect upon this theme, as I believe that it is quite pervasive in the Church.  Jesus breaks his comments into two parts, a comment about the cause not being sin and the second is about how we should live our lives, in light of such information.

First, He says very clearly that neither the level of sin nor guilt was the cause of those people being killed.  Many people would associate such events with the judgment of God, for the sin in their lives.  In John 9, the disciples ask Jesus if a man born blind was because of the man's sin or his parents sin.  This illustrates the thought that the result of sin is punishment from God.

Jesus has every opportunity to address this and confirm that line of thinking, but instead He says that this is NOT the case.  These people were NOT more guilty or greater sinners than others.  He makes it clear that all are sinners and all are guilty.  It is an indirect point of logic that Jesus uses here.  His point is that if sin and guilt were the reason behind suffering and death, than you all would be experiencing exactly the same tragedies!

Many of us are quick to think that because we aren't experiencing sickness, tragedy, or natural disasters that we are somehow in better standing with God than those that are experiencing difficulty and trouble, as if the trouble was a sign of God's displeasure.  Again, Jesus says this is NOT the case.

Some of our fellow Christians are quick to call down judgment upon countries or cities that are stepping away from Godly principles or laws, saying that God will punish us for our sinfulness.  They believe that some natural disaster, or terrible event is being unleashed from God as a form of punishment. The problem with this thinking is that we are all sinners, we are all guilty of sin, everyone of us, Christian and sinner alike.  It is only through Jesus' blood applied to our lives, only through His sacrifice that our guilt is forgiven and our sins washed clean.  Nothing we have done cleanses our guilt more than anyone else, for it is Jesus' application of His righteousness to our lives that makes us righteous. Jesus makes that exact point here, saying the people who died were no less sinful or guilty than everyone else!

Sickness, tragedy, death and difficulty are not signs of God's displeasure or judgment upon our lives.

Instead of unleashing  punishment, natural disasters or tragedy on us to punish us for our sin, God sent His son Jesus, to save us from our sin (Matt 1:21).  Jesus took upon Himself all our guilt, all of our sin, and paid for it all.  He traded us righteousness for our sinfulness, love for our rebellion and sin, relationship for our disobedience.  God extended to us mercy rather than judgment!  Why would He act any differently today?

Finally, Jesus gives us all clear direction - it is through repentance that we will be saved.  Repentance is translated from the Greek word Metanoeo, which basically means you change the way you act after you understand.  Once we understand that we are all sinners and all guilty, we should be crying out for mercy, not judgment.  Once we understand that God loves us inspite of our sin, and has made a way for us, we should cry out for His forgiveness and accept the salvation that is only available through Jesus! Once we understand that God sent His Son to save us from our sin, we should be grateful and gladly receive His salvation, and share this Good News with those around us.

So let us look with mercy and compassion, not judgment, upon those who are struggling through difficulty, sickness, death or natural disasters.  Let us understand that God loves them no less than He loves us, and His response to our sin was to send His very best, His Son to save us all.

Amen!