Wages of Sin

Key verse: “Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward.” (Lamentation 1:8).

Someone once made a profound   statement about sin; that it pays its own form of wages, death! Many keep sinning because of its apparent allure and fleshly gratification. Yet, the outcome is always perilous. 

Our text today pertinently flows from the proceeding paragraph and perfectly depicts the heart-rending consequences of sin. The sacred provision of the Most High were severely compromised which attracted God’s wrath. Israel and Jerusalem became a reproach. The princess among the nations became a pauper, an ugly caricature of what God had intended her to be. Her co-travellers in sin quite naturally turned against her and became inveterate foes, ironically prospering at her expense. Her once glorious beauty faded even as she lacked the strength to withstand the pursuit of her enemies. Foolishly, she submitted her heritage to the heathen. Sadly, the temple of the Most High fell to the rampaging invasion of Nebuchadnezzar.

Nothing makes a once valiant and radiant man more vulnerable than sin. Sin deceives, deadens, destroys, deludes, deafens and will eventually damn the soul in perdition if unrepented of. Israel was once God’s heritage. She lost that sacred and elevated position because of repeated transgressions.

Today’s text must be instructive to all believers, especially to those undergoing fearsome challenges. Some challenges are either trial of our faith or permitted buffetings by Satan. Yet, others are a direct consequence of our own follies. If such is your case, the option before you is to toe the path of honour: “sow to yourself in righteousness, reap in mercy… (Hosea 10:12). 

Thought for today: Sin pays wages: death!