Forgiveness and Consequences

King David took Uriah's wife to satisfy a lustful urge and then took Uriah's life to cover his sin. But the sin was not covered from the Lord, who sent Nathan the prophet to confront Davis with his sin. 

He told David a story about a rich man who took the one lone lamb of his poor neighbor to set a feast for a visitor instead of using one from his own flock. He then asked David what should happen to such a man to which David sad he should be killed. Nathan then said to David, "You are the man."

David was filled with a sense of guilt and acknowledged his sin from which he repented: "Then David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord .' Nathan replied, 'The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for a the Lord, the son born to you will die'" (2 Sam 12:13-14).

The guilt of his sin was removed but not the consequences. Sin leads to death and destruction. While you may turn from sin, that doesn't mean the outcome set in motion will turn aside from you. 

You can be forgiven for murdering but may still end up on Death Row. You may be forgiven of sexual sin but still die from HIV.  Asking for forgiveness has to do with your spiritual state not your physical condition. 

It is important not to confuse the two and conclude you are not forgiven because a consequence is not set aside. Nor should one count on consequences be necessarily set aside as a result of your forgiveness, except for the eternal consequences. 

Forgiveness and consequences are not necessarily linked. In fact, facing the consequences may be a vital part of your growth and development as a disciple of Christ. James said that "trials lead to perseverance, which produces wisdom" (James 1:2-4). Jus' Sayn.