You Are Not Getting Away With It

 It is hard to find a place in New York City to park unless you are a United Nations diplomat. They park wherever they want.

  It’s not that they are allowed to but their diplomatic immunity keeps them from paying the cost. In one year alone the diplomats racked up 143,508 parking summonses, which would have cost them $15.8 million. Yet, because of the immunity, the punishments they incur are not enforced. So, they tend to park very badly 

 Solomon recognized this tendency. In Ecclesiastes 8:11he writes; “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil.” If we do not pay for our wrongs quickly, we tend to think they are OK.

 This however is a terrible practice to have in our lives. In Romans 2:4-6, Paul warns us about the danger when we look at God’s tolerance and patience of our sin as acceptance. He warns it will make things worse for us in judgment since God will “render to each person according to his deeds”.

 Just because you escape immediate earthy consequences for your bad behavior doesn’t mean you get away with it. Your cruel words will come back on you (Matthew 12:37). Your wild night will come back to haunt you (1st Peter1:3-5). Your lazy inaction will be judged (James 4:17).

 Do not think since you didn’t pay the fine you won’t have it affect you for all time!