Some of my friends got together for a breakfast the other day.  One of the guys asked a very provocative question: “If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?”

Some said one thing.  Some said another.  I said, “I don’t know.”

The most interesting response was from Brian, who said, “I would make the consequences of all actions immediate.”

I thought this was interesting at the time.  The more I’ve thought about it, the more interesting it has become.

But who says that it isn’t already so?  Don’t our actions have immediate consequences?

No, in fact the Bible itself seems to acknowledge this reality of deferred consequences, and its problematic nature.  For example, Ecclesiastes 8:11 says, “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil” (English Standard Version).  However, Ecclesiastes is a pretty cynical book, and needs to be read and quoted with great care.  (In fact, I encourage people not to read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance or the book of Ecclesiastes when they are already mildly depressed.)

On the other hand, I wonder if, in the most profound sense, the most serious consequences of all actions are not immediate.  Or, at least, the consequences follow very quickly on the heels of our actions.  I overeat, and it doesn’t take very long at all before I feel too full, guilty, and sluggish.  I speak unkindly to my wife, and regret that I have hurt her.

However, there is a problem: If I do not swiftly heed my immediate consequences, it doesn’t take long before I am not able to take heed to those immediate consequences.  Before long, I persuade myself that there aren’t any immediate consequences.

Why?  I suspect that the answer is this: One of the first consequences of every wrong action is that our conscience is numbed.  The Bible also acknowledges this.  For example, Hebrews 3:13 says, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (English Standard Version)

Hardened by the deceitfulness of sin!  Yes, I’m afraid that I have way too much experience with that.  You?

Sin is a lot like certain deadly viruses and cancers.  Like those viruses and cancers, the first thing that happens is that sin turns off our immune system.

Or, to change the analogy, like a burglar, sin first turns off the alarm system.  Then, sin steals our joy, good relationships, peace, and self-respect.  Soon, we are an empty and haunted house.

Well, this is a cheery thought on an overcast day, isn’t it?!  Is there any hope?  How about a little sunshine?  I am glad that you asked!

According to the New Testament and classic Christian theology, Jesus Christ died for all our sins and their consequences.  He took the whole tangled mess that is us upon himself.  And that mess that is us killed him.

However, rumor has it that he didn’t stay dead.  And when he came out of the tomb, according to the New Testament, we came out with him.

And so did our innocence.

And after his resurrection, Jesus, along with God the Father, sent the Holy Spirit to live in us.  We now have the Holy Spirit living in us.  And the Holy Spirit doesn’t put up with any crap from us.  The power of immediate consequences is one of the gifts that God gives us through his Holy Spirit.

And we should thank God every day for the gift of immediate consequences.