In addressing the brethren in the area of Galatia, Paul writes the following by inspiration (Galatians 6:7-8): “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”  In words common in the farming industry, we are taught a very valuable lesson.  We shall harvest that which we plant.  If we live a sinful life, we should expect to receive due punishment (Romans 6:23).  If we live a faithful life unto the Lord, we can expect to be rewarded (Revelation 2:10).  However, some fail to realize that they will pay for the wrong that they do.  Many believe that sin has no consequences.

     (Ezekiel 18:23-26; 30-32) “Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?  But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to All the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.  Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?  When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.  Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God…  Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.  Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?  For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.”  From the inspired words of Ezekiel we find that God is fair.  He punishes the unjust.  If God would have created a law and have no consequences for failing to obey that law; there would be little to no obedience.

     Some argue that sins of ignorance are okay.  They believe that God will pardon those who do wrong because of wrong information being provided to them.  However, we find that God punishes sinners without exception.  A young prophet was given direct instructions from God.  An older prophet told the young prophet a lie that caused the young prophet to change the directions that God had given him, believing that the old prophet had spoken with an angel of the Lord and had received authority from God to pass on new instructions.  The young prophet failed.  He believed a lie and was consumed by a lion sent by God for his transgression (I Kings 13:1ff.).  It could be a good deed, with good intentions, but still sinful.  In such a case we find Uzzah trying to stop the Ark of the Covenant from falling without being authorized to touch it.  Thus, he was punished by death (II Samuel 6:6-7).

     The Lord commanded under the Law of Moses (no longer binding today) for no one to work on the Sabbath Day, but to make it a day of rest (Deuteronomy 5:12-14).  Some today would regulate such instructions and challenge God on how strict He would bind that law.  Some would say you would be a legalist if you kept that law to the letter.  However, sin is transgression of the law (I John 3:4).  Any violation, whether small or great, is wrong (James 2:10).  Notice how strict God was on this command (Numbers 15:32-35): “And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.  And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.  And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.  And The Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.”  God punishes sinners, even if it is only sticks!  Is sin worth having the wrath of God upon you?

     It is very clear in the Scriptures that we will stand before Christ and answer for the good or bad things we have done (II Corinthians 5:10 and Romans 14:11-12).  Sin most certainly has consequences.  Those consequences are greater than any other thing mankind has ever seen.  When one weighs Heaven and Hell in their decision making, they should be able to find how they want to live their lives.  Consider the following Scriptures to see for yourself where you would like to spend eternity:
 

• Heaven: (John 14:1-3) “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
• Heaven: (II Corinthians 5:1) “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
• Heaven: (Revelation 22:5) “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

*Heaven / Hell: (Revelation 21:7-8) “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

• Hell: (Matthew 13:49-50) “So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
• Hell: (Matthew 25:41) “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”

     Let us conclude the thoughts within this article with the verse following those with which we began our article (Galatians 6:9): “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”  A Christian wants to live the kind of life that concludes by either being carried into paradise (Luke 16:22; 23:43) or being told (Matthew 25:23) “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…” as we enter into Heaven.  This life is a preparation for the life that awaits us in Heaven.  So, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).”