Consequences
Young children have an innocent view of the ‘magical’ words: “I’m sorry.” It isn’t their fault. We, as adults, teach them that every time they do something to hurt another person they have to apologize. Then, we teach them another beautiful lesson by giving them a hug and showing them the forgiveness that comes after confession. Somewhere along the line; however, sticking your tongue out at someone progresses to larger misconducts and a simple apology doesn’t quite cut it. Consequences rear their ugly but necessary head and apologies are never quite the same.
God cares about our relationships. If He didn’t, He would not have given us so many laws which deal with how we treat one another. He knows our hearts are fragile. He also knows just how stubborn the human race can be. We need a bit more incentive than not having to say two words to keep us from continually harming someone. In my preschool class, we have a kindness chart. Every time I catch them being kind, I move the student’s name along the meter until they reach the level where they get a prize. If I catch them being unkind, they move back down the meter, away from the prize they all want… consequences. Suddenly, there is more at stake to their behavior and that tongue which really wants to say someone rude or those arms which want to push each other down, have a reason to resist. Consequences are not pleasant, but they certainly make a point.
Our reading contains an important rule for the Israelites and for us. If…when (let’s be realistic) someone sins and harms another, “he shall confess his sin which he has committed; and he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it, and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong.” (verse 7) In other words, if you get mad and throw your brother’s video game controller against the wall so it breaks, you must replace the controller and give him a bit of cash for his troubles. Consequences make us stop to think. Is the price worth the fleeting moment of satisfaction? Most of the time the answer is no.
Before we end, I want to point out a very important part of our reading. Verse 6 says, “When a man or woman wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the Lord…” Our wrongdoings aren’t simply against the person we have hurt. They are an unfaithfulness to God. The person we hurt isn’t just someone who annoys us. They are a child of God. We may find them annoying or even dislike them completely, but God rejoices over their life as He does our own. I think that if we keep that in mind, we will find ourselves resisting our desire to say that insulting comment or whatever harmful thing we find an opportunity for. God cares about our relationships because God cares about us. That is why He gave us consequences… to make that truth hit home.
(Written by Keegan Harkins.)
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