Sin's Collateral Damage

"You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments." - Deuteronomy 5:8-10

Sometimes the Lord lays words on my heart that are a little too close to home.  Today is one of those days.  In the song “Even If” by Mercy Me, a verse goes “night after night, reminding the broken it'll be alright But right now, oh right now I just can't” It’s one thing to tell someone else to have faith – to walk by that faith – to abandon the old nature and embrace the new.  The teller must also be the doer.  Everything that I write, first applies to me then to others.

Some years ago, I was visiting my mom, a godly woman, wonderful Christian, and  I mentioned the idea of generational sin.  Not the idea that the following generations would be punished for their father’s sins, but that the consequences of those sins could and would reverberate through the generations.  The Bible says that we are each responsible for our own sins.  Apparently, she thought I was being accusatorial and was trying to make her feel guilty because of the life choices she had made, marrying and then divorcing my biological father. She totally missed my point and the conversation did not go well, to say the least. As a parent, you don’t want to think that what you do or don’t do might impact your children in a negative way.  That your sins are not self-contained. But, once the "sin-bomb" is dropped there is going to be collateral damage. The reality is …. not only are our sins not hidden from God, the consequences of those sins are not limited to the one who commits them.

It’s one thing to be forgiven for my sins – it’s entirely a different thing to be relieved of the consequences of those sins.  The Bible does not promise that, although I think most people prefer the latter over the former.  Sin forgiveness – yes – consequence avoidance – no!  The truth is that you will most likely be required to live with the consequences and so might those whom your sins affected. Like your family.

That is what my mom did not want to receive and neither do any of us for that matter. She loved her children and would not want any harm to come to them. Realizing the far reaching effects of my sin brings on guilt feelings and nobody likes that.  It was hard for her and for us to accept that choices – actions – sins – could have a negative consequence in the lives of those we loved.  Before I continue, let me make it clear, I believe that each of us are responsible for our own sins – each of us is born with a sin nature.  We don’t need anyone to teach us to sin. – it comes naturally.  But – we don’t live in a glass bubble.  The consequences of what we do, both good and bad, ripple out from our lives.  If you toss a pebble into a pond – notice that the ripples are bigger the closer they are to where the pebble stuck the water.  Same goes for the effects of sin and those who are closest to you.

Martie and I lived on a lake for a few years, think cabin.  If I was fishing and a boat passed by  - the wake from that boat caused waves and they rocked my boat.  On weekends – there were so many boats on the water and so much wake was produced that the water became choppy making it impossible to fish.  That is what it is like when an entire culture is given over to sin – that is what it is like in our culture today.  So many ripples – so many waves – so much turbulence – so many consequences felt through the generations.  

So ….. back to the point – which is not to make you feel guilty – but to give you insight into just how far reaching our personal sin can be.  How significant it is that we have a Savior who is our Hope – and how our trying to avoid the consequences of our sins is hopeless.  

We all have regrets.  We all wish that some things about our lives and our relationships were different.  Our lives are proof that the world without Jesus is broken.  Accepting the truth that you cannot sin in isolation should help you want to draw closer to the Lord – perhaps see the world differently.  Maybe have the same compassion for people that the Lord has.  What I have written may not convince you.  Maybe it will remind you that sin is a big deal and has consequences – unintended consequences.  It may not convict you – but perhaps it will make you think – remember – and repent. It did for me! 

And one more thing. You can't blame your sin on your parents or any one else - just you. The answer is simple - His name is Jesus.  

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone