God’s Way to Keep Order

Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.
–Genesis 9:6

Scripture says we’re supposed to forgive others in the same way that God forgives us. What does God do for us when He forgives us? When we trust in Christ, God removes the eternal consequences for our sins, but He doesn’t necessarily remove the temporary consequences of our sins. Think about it: If we lose our temper and say something cruel to a friend or mate, we may experience a strained relationship even after we’ve been forgiven. Or let’s say our teenager is arrested for drinking and driving. They may sincerely ask for forgiveness, but that doesn’t mean God miraculously erases all the legal penalties or returns the car keys we confiscated.

Why does God often allow forgiven people to experience the consequences of their sins?

Consequences promote order in society. Hall of Fame golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez told a story about taking his friend for a drive. When Chi Chi sped through a red light, his friend cried out, “What are you doing?” Chi Chi answered, “My brother does it all the time.” Then he went through another red light. His friend screamed again, and Chi Chi explained again that he was just driving like his brother. Then they came to a green light, and Chi Chi put on the brakes. The friend said, “What are you doing?” Chi Chi replied, “My brother might be coming.”

What would it be like to live in a world without red lights–or any other rules? What if everybody could do whatever they wanted? If your boss ticks you off, kill them. If you’re short of money, steal some. If your neighbor’s spouse excites you, sleep with them.

The world was like that at one time. We find the description in Genesis 6:11: “The earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence.” After the flood, God established government to maintain order in society by imposing His laws on the world. The first law God established was capital punishment: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man” (9:6). Letting people experience the consequences for their sins is God’s way of keeping order.

Today’s devotion is adapted from “Why Forgiven People Must Still Sit in the Electric Chair,” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2015.

Chi Chi Rodriguez story from “Mother Boxes for African,” Los Angeles Times, August 17, 1988, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-08-17-sp-542-story.html.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.