***
http://pastorjohnshouse.blogspot.com/2009/06/sowing-while-you-reap.html
***
Pastor John:
I have a question about your recent BLOG on “Sowing While You Reap”
If we are to reap for every evil we have sown in our youth (or our pre-baptism days), then where is the forgiveness of Christ in that? If our sins are washed away, does that merely apply to the Final Judgment? [Does it mean only] that we will not be judged of those deeds when we stand before our holy God? I had thought, perhaps erroneously, that if my sins were washed away, then they are forgotten. Does God make us “pay” for every thing we have done while we were in ignorance of the gospel, by reaping whatever we have sown? Then, how can we claim to be forgiven — or changed — or transformed — new creatures in Christ — or children of mercy — if we are still being chastened for the deeds done in our previous, sinful life? I don’t mind being chastened for my mistakes since my new birth, it helps me to grow and get past things, but it seems “unfair” to reap for EVERYTHING we have sown when we were in darkness. That doesn’t feel like forgiveness, or deliverance, to me. If I’m wrong, then please explain.
Brother Brad
===============
Hi Brad.
Good question. And it is also good to hear from you. I hope you are doing well.
First, God is not fair. Being fair doesn’t even concern Him. So, we can’t corner Him or demand that He do as we think He should do it. God is far above human concepts of “fairness”. He does only as he pleases to do, and He is perfectly just, all the time.
Our merciful heavenly Father has not dealt with any of us “according to our sins”. That is basically what you are saying, and that is right. But that is not all the story.
Forgiveness for what evil we have sown has nothing to do with reaping what we have sown. For example, when Israel provoked God by building the golden calf, God’s judgment against them was that he would utterly destroy them and start over again with nobody but Moses (Ex. 32:10). But after Moses earnestly prayed that God would forgive them, God forgave them and let them live, but He told Moses, “Nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them” (Ex. 32:34).
You are going to reap what you have sown, Brad. If you ask Jesus to show you, he will show you that the trials of faith that you are having now are only part of your reaping for things you have sown in the past. Because we have an intercessor with God and through him, the forgiveness of sins, we will not die the Second Death, but we will still most certainly reap both the good deeds and the bad deeds of our past.
You question that fact only because Jesus hasn’t yet shown you why you are going through some of the things you are going through. Once he reveals the Father’s reasons for your sufferings, you will understand the supreme and perfect justice of God.
Pastor John