I never saw that coming

Yesterday I drove many miles to purchase something, never anticipating that the person would ignore my messages when I arrived. I feel a bit silly now, but the consequences — a day without study, a day without seeing much of my wife and children, and the sunk costs — are mine to bear.
When I returned home, my dog had been banished to the backyard for eating butter off the counter. Later I caught her trying to get something off the table. The consequences were hers to bear.
The confluence of these events brought to mind a conversation I had with a good brother recently. It concerned Ananias and Sapphira and their divine punishment for lying (Acts 5:1-10). As they were conspiring (see Acts 5:2, 9), I’m confident that they never saw death as a potential consequence.
Nadab and Abihu’s strange fire brought swift action (Leviticus 10:1, 2), as did Uzzah’s split-second decision to steady the Ark (2 Samuel 6:6, 7). I’m comforted in the thought that physical punishment does not necessarily imply spiritual punishment. Even so, death is the highest of physical judgments. Surely these men did not contemplate death as the consequence for their actions.
Likewise, we assume Adam and Eve did not foresee the consequences that would arise from their disobedience. Adam was certainly warned (Genesis 2:17), but what is death to one who has never seen it? Even if Adam had an inkling of that, he could not have anticipated how that punishment would actually be meted out: separation from God, eviction from the garden, denial of the tree of life. The result was a life of physical toil and difficulty, all while the spiritual connection with his Creator was forever altered.
It is important to state that just because we cannot anticipate consequences does not mean they are unjust. Adam was warned that he would be punished, he did not heed that warning. God gave instructions concerning the ark (Numbers 3:27-31; 4:15; 7:9), these were ignored. The failing is not in God’s judgments, but in our appreciation of them. Sin is so grave that the world is full of graves. Sin is heinous, and the fallout of sin is often very severe.
The repercussions are not just ours to bear. Many times others suffer or are blessed by the results of our actions. Surely Adam could not have fathomed the deep impact he would make upon all people who have ever lived (see Romans 5). The deaths of Nadab and Abihu demonstrated God’s holiness, and the reverence one must have when approaching him in worship (Leviticus 10:3). The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira brought a fearful respect upon the whole church and the world at-large. It demonstrated, among other things, that God could not be fooled, and that false honor is no honor at all.
The men who chose to follow Jesus suffered many physical hardships as a result of their choices. Yet they were so tremendously blessed spiritually. And the resulting effect of their decisions for all of us cannot be overstated.
Weigh carefully the decisions you make. Some decisions may appear important at first glance, but may not have a significant impact upon your life or the lives of others. Other choices will have a profound impact upon your life and the lives of those you love.
When our lives here are over, it will be tragic indeed to find ourselves in great torment thinking, “I never saw that coming.” But what a beautiful thought to be in paradise with people who helped us, or who we helped, get to glory.
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:16 KJV).
“Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).
 
                
                                                                         -Lee Parish