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Genesis 3 is abundantly clear that sin always comes with a cost. Though we ourselves were not present in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned, because we are their descendants the consequences of their sin are imputed to us,

Eve, 3:16: women’s relationship to their husband and children is now difficult;

Adam, 3:17-19: work and life are now difficult.

When we sin today, we cannot simply blame it on Adam, for we are still personally responsible and must face consequences for our own sinful actions (Romans 5:12). How must we respond to these consequences?  

Near the end of Sunday’s sermon, Pastor offered several incorrect responses that we frequently have towards consequences:

1) we distance ourselves from others (isolation, not wanting others to see our sin and its consequences),

2) we decry the consequences (“that’s not fair!”),

3) we deny our guilt,

4) we detach the significance of Genesis 3 (looking to other things, like rest, as the remedy for consequences rather than the hope of the Gospel),

5) we try to do our own thing.  

What then is a right response? Pastor also explained this, and I want to look at his points through the lens of Psalm 51–David’s Psalm of repentance after sinning with Bathsheba (Cf. 2 Samuel 11-12).

First, we must let consequences bear on us rightly. We must not deflect or deny the consequences of sin, but instead have “a broken and contrite (“sorrowful”) heart” (51:17).

Secondly, we must let consequences compel us to bear our own guilt. Note how in Psalm 51 David identifies what he had done (v. 3, “I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.”) and to whom it was done against (v. 4, “Against you, [God], you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. . .).  Similarly, when we sin, we must recognize we are at fault and that our actions are done chiefly against God.

Lastly, we must let consequences drive us to seek God’s remedy. Instead of trying to find comfort through other objects or actions, we must cry as David does, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in me” (51:10)  

If you are a believer, understand that, while Christ’s blood has indeed covered all our transgressions (Romans 8:1), we are still sinners, and our sin and its consequences can mar our fellowship with God. Thus, we must continually turn to God in repentance so that our fellowship with Him is restored. If you are an unbeliever, know that the ultimate consequence of your sin is eternal punishment and separation from God in the lake of fire; however, if you receive Christ’s free gift of salvation by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), you can be forgiven of all wrongs, past, present, and future, and have eternal life with God.