Satan has torn the price tag off of every sin! That’s right. Scripture states quite clearly that there is a price to be paid for every sin we commit. But wait, didn’t Jesus pay the price, or the penalty, for our sins when He died on Calvary? Yes, indeed He did, and when we enter into a valid relationship with our Lord the merits of His sacrificial death are applied to our past sins and they are washed away by that shed blood. They are removed from us as far as the east is from the west, blotted out to be remembered no more. But, after that marvelous event, what if we sin again? Well, “if we (believers, redeemed ones) confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (committed after our baptism and justification), and to cleanse us (once more) from all unrighteousness” (See I John 1:9).
But “if the word spoken by angels (Greek aggelos, meaning “messengers,” or the Hebrew prophets) was stedfast, and EVERY TRANSGRESSION and disobedience received a just recompense of reward (a corresponding just punishment), how shall we (we New Covenant believers) escape (punishment) if we neglect so great salvation? (See Hebrews 2:2-3). A salvation so great as to provide us with an avenue of escape from every temptation we face as Christians, for “there has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not suffer you (allow you) to be tempted above that which you are able (to bear), but will with the temptation (yes, at that exact same moment in time) also make a (God-made) way to escape (hence, a perfect escape route), that you may be able to bear it (bear up under the temptation without ever giving in to it and sinning)” (See I Corinthians 10:13).
Every sin still has its price tag, believer. Satan might cover it up or hide that price tag from the casual believer who remains ignorant of God’s Word and warnings, but, be that as it may, every sin we commit still has its price tag and a price to be paid by the sinner! Sins, like commodities sold in the store, have different prices. Those who say that with God all sins are the same have overlooked a score of scriptures that reveal the very opposite to be true. Jesus Himself told Pilate,”He that delivered me unto you (meaning Judas) has the greater sin” (See John 19:11). Some sins in Israel carried the death penalty. Most did not. Showing that God has always viewed sins as differing from one another in severity as well as punishment warranted.
The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that when a believer sins and fails to confess their sin and forsake the same they will then suffer chastening, or punishment, for their sins. The warning is then given that if that believer experiences no such chastening then they are exposed as false converts – not saved at all, as God is not a permissive parent and definitely will correct a sinning child for their own good. Without holiness none shall see the Lord. The chastened son or daughter of God will be most thankful their heavenly Father chastened them. (See Hebrews Chapter 2). God help us all to understand.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley