Understanding the Difference between Consequence and Judgment – (Letters to a Friend – Series)

Definitions:
Consequence – a result or effect of an action or condition
Judgment – a misfortune or calamity viewed as a divine punishment

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Do New Covenant Believers Reap What They Sow? Yes, in the positive sense – We Reap Rewards for Faithfulness.

Remember that Jesus received our judgment for sin on Calvary. We will not be judged again for our failures, but we will be rewarded for faithfulness in allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us. Negative works of the flesh will not be rewarded and will manifest as losses in eternity. Our works will be tried by fire; all wood, hay, and stubble will burn, and the jewels, works of the Spirit, will shine brightly forever. (See 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.)

CONSEQUENCES are what naturally happen as the result of an action or condition. Some actions or conditions may manifest positive consequences, some, negative consequences.

Speak negatively about others and earn a reputation as a gossip, and there will be no future reward for this.  (The negative consequence is not judgment. We are not judged, because Jesus received our judgment himself)

Commit a crime and very likely go to prison for breaking the law of the land. There will be no reward in heaven for committing a crime. (The negative consequence is not judgment. We are not judged, because Jesus received our judgment himself)

The above consequences, and many like them, may be erroneously attributed to divine judgment, but they are all consequences. Consequences sometimes are hard to live with, but believers have a wonderful promise concerning the negative consequences of life.

Romans 8:28 – The Bible (KJV) – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

We have a loving God. He hates wrongdoing, but He loves us, so much that He gave us His beloved Son, who paid the price to save us. We cannot save ourselves. God wants to bless us, and He is the God of second chances. Praise Him for taking away our judgment and giving us His unconditional love.