Crime requires punishment. We live in a nation based on what is called, “The rule of law.” When a crime is committed, it is the government’s job to apprehend and punish the criminal. This natural need for justice comes directly from God and was demonstrated to all of mankind.
Sin is a crime against God and the punishment for sin is eternal separation from Him (Rom. 6:23). For those who are in Christ (Rom. 6:3-4), we have been adopted into a special relationship with Jesus, who will forgive us of any sin, if we turn from our sin and ask for forgiveness. The Bible tells us that Jesus stands as our Advocate to the Father, ready to plead our case (1 John 1:9-2:2). However, some have read this and concluded that we are freed from consequences. While there is no longer an ultimate punishment for those in Christ (Rom 8:1), sin still bears consequences.
In Numbers 14, the children of Israel commit a grave sin against the very promise of God. Because of their fear, they refuse to enter Canaan and seek a new leader to take them back to Egypt (Num 14:3-4). The Lord seeks to punish them for their actions and declares in verse 12, “I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them.” Like Christians, the Israelites had an advocate in Moses. Moses spoke with God and prayed for the forgiveness of Israel (v. 18-19). Notice that while Moses absolutely prays for their pardoning, he also prays for their punishment. Moses says, “The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty.”
The children of Israel had to face consequences for their actions. All their generation were barred from entering the Promised Land and the Lord’s punishment was fulfilled in Numbers 26:64-65. “But among these there was not a man of those who were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest when they numbered the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Sinai. For the Lord had said of them, ‘They shall surely die in the wilderness.’”
We must be aware of the consequences of our actions (Gal. 6:7-8). When we commit sin against our brethren, relationships are hurt, and trust is fractured. While God can truly forget ours sins (Heb 8:12), it is harder for our brethren.
We can also abuse the relationship we have with God! If we continue to sin willfully, the Bible says, “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (Heb. 10:26-27). Do not be fooled. As sure as the punishment was carried out on Israel, punishment will be carried out on us in the last day if we continue in sin.