Between Sin and Forgiveness

Sin, in whatever form it comes, attracts retribution that comes in different forms. But it is important to understand the function of punishment. It is not merely to afflict, but to call the sinner to repentance. The punishment will continue until repentance comes. The longer it takes to repent, the longer the punishment stays. But when once repentance occurs, punishment is withdrawn. Punishment ceases to serve its function when it continues after repentance. 

Hezekiah was a godly king, but when he transgressed, God sent the prophet Isaiah to him to tell him to set his house in order for he would surely die. He repented before God, and before the prophet left the palace, God sent him back to the king with a message of pardon.

Unlike Hezekiah, Ahab was an ungodly king who reveled in idolatry with his wife, Jezebel. Against him, God pronounced judgment, but as soon as he repented, the same prophet that pronounced the judgment was sent to pronounce forgiveness. 

In 1 Corinthians 5, we are told of the man who slept with his father's wife and didn't repent of his sexual sin. He was to be excommunicated for one reason: that he may repent. 

This is how it is with God and His people when they transgress His commands,  leading up to forgiveness; it should be the same with His church also. 

Toni