Sin and Its Consequences
Adam and Eve were instructed that they could eat of any fruit tree they wished apart from just one, the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. By the very act of eating of that tree, Adam and Eve learned what evil was. God had clearly told Adam what the consequences of eating would be: “But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat the fruit of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). God did not want them to serve Him slavishly, but gave them free will to choose to obey or not to obey, to fulfil the reason for their creation or not to do so. The result of Adam and Eve choosing the path of disobedience was that the consequences followed.
No matter where people live they are bound by laws. The reason for law is to maintain order in society and regulate the behaviour of individuals within society. These laws are at times just or unjust. Whatever individuals may think of laws, they know that breaking them brings the consequent punishment.
Human laws are, however, imperfect, often benefiting one branch of society over another. Further, who is to decide what is right or wrong, since perceptions of justice, and what is acceptable or unacceptable, varies according to society or culture. To me there is no consistency in the world regarding what is right or wrong and no perfect means of declaring ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’ of a crime. As a result, miscarriages of justice can occur. So why does society have rules and laws? Because without law, society degerates into anarchy. That is why society accepts laws, despite their imperfections.
God is our Creator and as such He demands that human beings fulfil the purpose for which they were created. God does have a purpose with His creation, and has decreed laws for man to live a true life. Disobedience of God’s laws is what the Bible terms sin, and the consequence of sin is punishment. The laws and commandments of God are impartial and without favouritism. They are equally applied to all individuals no matter what society they live in.
Bro Moses Dhlakama (Beira, Mozambique)
