A Common Misunderstanding about Consequences

Many people falsely believe in retribution theology: Blessings and suffering are direct results of the good or bad things we do. 

They base their beliefs on Galatians 6:7-8 which says: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.…”

But the principle of reaping and sowing involves these truths:

1. Not all difficulties are associated with sin (John 9:2-3).(1)

2. Results are not immediate. Just as seeds take time to take root and grow, many good and bad results come years after they are sown (1 Corinthians 4:5).

3. Some good seeds reap difficult things on earth but great rewards in heaven (Matthew 5:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).

4. Some bad seeds reap “good” things here on earth but result in eternal punishments (Matthew 16:26).

When something bad happens, we should examine our lives and repent if we’ve been violating God’s commands (Hebrews 12:6).(2) Otherwise, we need to think eternally, realizing that many things sown on earth will not be harvested until heaven. 
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(1) See Acts of God, Job's Friends and Christianity and Karma are not Compatible.
(2) See Discipline, Punishment, Condemnation.


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