One of the characteristics of contemporary society is the (seeming) lack of consequences. Little children can rage against their parents without consequences. Later they can rage against teachers and others in authority. Men father children without any intention of raising them. Women bear children confident that a handout will take care of them. People live beyond their means and put it on the plastic, living with continually growing debt. People buy homes on terms that assure they eventually cannot pay for them. Even governments borrow without any intent of paying off the debt in this generation.
But consequences do come.
When they do, in such a culture as ours, they are often greeted as unfair. Someone who has bullied people and stolen from them all their life is outraged that they are sent to prison. Irresponsible fathers complain that their wages are garnisheed. Irresponsible mothers cry out how unfair their difficult life is. Those who are crushed under debt of their own choosing look for a scapegoat.
Is it any wonder that we live in an age that discounts any eternal consequences? The unbelieving world discards even the most basic moral standards and scoffs at the idea of being held responsible by our Creator at the end of our lives.
But consequences will come.
The fact that there are consequences in this life, as terrible as they might be, is a beneficial thing. It is a warning. As terrible as the siege of Jerusalem was, it is a warning to the world that we reject the peace of God at our peril. Every day through the gospel God offers His peace to the world. He offers forgiveness for our sins. He offers life and salvation. Most can’t be bothered.
Most have no use for God and His means of grace, his means of giving us the fruits of His unmerited love. Jesus took all the consequences of our sin upon himself and offers us the benefit. Most don’t care.
They will face the consequences.