There are promises that are given in the Bible which carry prerequisites, in order for their fulfillment to become reality. When those preconditions are met, the sure results follow, for God is faithful, who has promised. But a strange gospel has surfaced across the land, which teaches its adherents to claim God’s promises while walking contrary to His revealed will and because of this, there is a cycle of expectation and disappointment when promises don’t realize.
Millions have been deceived into a sensational sort of praise which falls short on obedience, and hopes and prayers often remain elusive, and unanswered, since the stipulations in the Bible do not change. It isn’t good enough for us to say we believe, it is also important that what we believe be actually written in God’s word, so as not to become bewildered if things do not pan out.
Therefore, whatever we may believe, let us first make sure that it is written in the Bible, and that God has promised it, so that our expectations can be managed reasonably, for it is not good to look forward to promises which God never made. That passage in the 1st book of John is of that nature, for the promises of forgiveness and cleansing are given on the condition of true confession. Let’s read:
1st John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This means that whenever the conditions are met in any person, no matter the seriousness of their sin, if it’s not the sin against The Holy Spirit it’s a certainty that God will forgive and put in motion the work of restoration, so that we may avoid the syndrome of never-ending repetition.
In addition, Godly sorrow for sin includes sorrow for wounding Christ and the willingness to bear all the results of our actions. There is a hymnal song that is sung which says: “Jesus paid it all”. This song must be sung with the understanding, for Christ took care of the second death for us. But the other results of sin are usually born by the sinner, especially when others are directly affected.
In some cases God may see fit to institute a reversal of fortunes to a great extent; but in other cases the laws of sowing, and reaping are often permitted to run their natural course. But whether it be reversal of fortune or having to deal with consequences, the one who truly confesses will have his heart set to do right from that point forward. And through the will that is sanctified by The Holy Spirit, he will be able to live victoriously.
Jonah was a prophet of God, and he was sent on a mission to warn the people of Nineveh about their impending danger, on account of the myriad of sins being committed daily in their city. But Jonah chose to do otherwise, and headed for Tarshish, with the vain hope that he could escape the word of the Lord without encountering adverse circumstances.
At the onset of the journey things had seemed to be going pretty smooth for there were clear blue skies, seagulls flew overhead and the white-capped waves beat gently against the hull of the ship. Pleased with his decision, Jonah settled down to sleep, convinced that all would go well because initially, there was no outward sign of impending danger.
This aspect of disobedience is not understood as it ought to be, and many are thus lulled into a false
sense of security. As a general rule of thumb, there is a period of enjoyment whenever sin is committed after which the adverse side effects begin to accrue. Let’s read:
Hebrews 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.
Whenever sin is committed, more often than not, a delay occurs between the act and the after-effects, during which time most people erroneously believe that they have gotten off scotch free. Hours, days, months and years may pass by without an apparent consequence, and many, like Jonah fall into a deep slumber in sin.
When David slept with Bathsheba, he felt good for a while, and for all intents and purposes it seemed as if he had pulled off one on God. Her husband, Uriah, knew nothing, and the soldiers who had been sent to fetch her kept quiet, having received their “Hush money” and David seemed to enjoy the pleasures of sin “For a season”. Then, it was only when Bathsheba stopped having her monthly cycles that David began to worry.
Again, Eve did not die immediately after eating the forbidden fruit, and she reasoned that God must be misguided in His statements to them. In fact, it was because there were no visible outward effects upon Eve, why Adam was convinced that the curse would not be realized because his wife was before him just as beautiful as she was before eating of the fruit.
But there is no such thing as disobedience without adverse consequences, a common deception which constitutes one of the primary delusions of the last days. Somehow, the sin germinates, and sooner or later it bears fruit, in one way or another, and it is quite often the case that innocent persons may get hurt in the process. Let’s read:
Jonah 1:1 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
Whatever were Jonah’s reasons for going contrary to God’s commands, the fact is that it became sin unto him, and as such it interfered with the normal relationship he had previously with The Lord. Let no one be deceived by smooth-talking preachers into a belief that sin does not carry adverse consequences of some kind. This was the first deception, to which Adam and Eve became casualties.
It is also the very same deception that is causing the ruin of millions of people today, because it has only been repackaged and peddled under a different set of labels. For years folks have freely indulged in the eating and drinking of forbidden food and drink and for all intents and purposes it may seem that what has been proscribed in the scriptures, was written by unlearned men.
Yet, one day we will discover that the overwhelming amount of diseases, and afflictions which affect the human family, can be traced right back to our dining tables. The consequences of our actions may not be readily apparent, but sooner or later the grim truth will be disclosed, because there is no such thing as sinning without adverse consequences.
Thus, as the sailors, and passengers headed out to sea, they expected smooth sailing. After checking in their luggage and loading the vessel with their food and other merchandise they expected to make their journey without any interference from the weather. But not long after setting sail, a dangerous storm of abnormal intensity broke out upon them, but yet, the captain and his crew had no clue as to the real cause.
This brings us to another aspect of Jonah’s sin, for instead of being restricted to the person in question the consequences and results of wrong doing in one person quite often extends to other persons, either directly, or indirectly. In some cases, a material loss may accrue to those who may have had nothing to do with the original decision to sin. That’s just the nature of sin.
Those who indulge in drug abuse, and who decide to overdose on illegal opioids for different reasons, will cause the cost of healthcare and other essential services to go up, and ultimately, others, including you and I will have to pick up the tab in the form of higher taxes. It’s one of the unfortunate byproducts of sinning, and that fact should serve as a deterrent to those who may be thus disposed.
When the universal health-care law was passed in the previous administration, a penalty was imposed on those individuals who did not subscribe, and the term “Pre-existing conditions” was not restricted to persons who were born compromised, but it also included persons who deliberately, or inadvertently indulged in destructive behaviors.
Thus, a person who did all the right things in trying to lead a healthy life, and who was no burden to the system, was required to pick up part of the tab of those who may have chosen to do otherwise. The same thing holds true in our salvation because Jesus picked up the tab for our sins, otherwise we would be eternally lost. The very nature of sin often tends to involve the innocent. Let’s read:
Isaiah 53:5 He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
In the case of Jonah’s sin, material loss was incurred by everyone on board; undue stress about the very prospect of death took its toll, and eventually they lost everything that had been placed on the vessel. All the while Jonah was snoring, down in his cabin, and it seemed for all intents and purposes that the real perpetrator was getting off scotch free. Let’s read:
Jonah 1:5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay fast asleep.
6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.
7 And they said everyone to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
8 Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?
9 And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.
10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him. Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
15 So they took up Jonah and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.
17 Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
There he was in the whale’s belly, being bleached by the digestive juices, in which he was immersed, and thinking to himself, why did I get myself into this situation. In his predicament, he turns to the God of heaven who is always willing to forgive and grant a new start to those who confess.
Thus, as we study Jonah’s experience and his prayer of confession, important points will be highlighted, so that we too might be instructed on confession, if God forbid, we have fallen into sin. Let’s read:
Jonah 1:12 And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.
Point # [1] “Take me up and cast me forth into the sea”.
True repentance begins with an acknowledgement of one’s wrong and manifests a willingness to bear the consequences of one’s actions. This paves the way for God to forgive and restore, for if folks did not do wrong, forgiveness will not be needed. This is the attitude that was manifested by the thief on the cross, and which opened up to him the gates of heaven. Let’s read:
Luke 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Jonah 2:1 Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly,
2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
Point # [2] “I remembered The Lord”.
Whenever we are feeling down and out because of our sins, it is critically important for us like Jonah, to “Remember The Lord” and not grovel in despair. Let us hasten to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and grace to help in time of need, for Jesus takes delight in mercy. He encourages all who have fallen to come just as we are, and His grace will be given to make us whole. Let’s read:
Lamentations 3:19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul hath them still in remembrance and is humbled in me.
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore, will I hope in him.
Jonah 2:9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving.
Point # [3] The voice of thanksgiving.
This clearly demonstrates that Jonah accepted the responsibility for his actions. He didn’t blame any other, or global warming, instead he thanks God for His salvation, even though, as a result of his sin he would suffer through bitter experiences. The fact that God stoops low to save us who are unworthy should call forth the deepest gratitude and praise, for He suffered for our sins, who did nothing wrong.
Jonah 2:9 I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.
Point # [4] I will pay that that I have vowed.
This shows a set determination on Jonah’s part to reverse course. In other words, if God so chooses to give him another chance, he is going to do the best he can, by God’s grace to do the right thing.
And the rest is history, because the very next verse clearly demonstrates God’s willingness to forgive. Jesus is The God of new beginnings, and if sinners confess, with a set purpose of doing right, God will fulfill 1st John 1:9 to the letter, because the process of restoration always begins with true confession. Let’s read:
Jonah 2:10 And the Lord spoke unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
Now, it is of critical importance for us to observe what Jonah will do, now that he has confessed his sin and prayed for forgiveness. Will he turn again and do the right thing, or will he continue a wrong course of action after obtaining deliverance? The answer to this question is of critical importance to us because, our course of action after confessing is what will make all the difference. Let’s read:
Jonah 3:1 And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying,
2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord.
The story of Jonah, his prayer of confession, and the forgiveness he was granted, all have great import for us who are living in the 21st century. A pseudo kind of confession has been stalking across the land for many years, where politicians, clergy, lay-people and those in high places only confess when there is no other way out, and even then, many excuses are made, and other people are often blamed for one’s misdeeds.
To confess under subpoena, with the threat of jail time hanging over our heads, with remorse for the adverse results only, is not what the Bible instructs or advises. Godly sorrow for sin, by which a person confesses wrongs for what they are without making excuses, and a willingness to change one’s behavior by the grace of God, is the only type of confession God recognizes.
Therefore, if anyone has sinned, either deliberately or inadvertently, let us ask God to grant us the gift of repentance, so that His salvation to us through Christ may be realized in real time. The work of our restoration will be accomplished through the grace, and power of Christ, coupled together with choices that are in harmony with God’s revealed will, and all who are thus exercised will receive the crown of life if we do not return again to the old ways.
In harmony with this sacred truth, we encourage all of us to make our calling and election sure, by not leaving any stone un-turned but setting our hearts to follow Jesus all the way. We therefore end with a promise which should serve as an incentive to turn again and live, if we confess! Let’s read:
2nd Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
God Bless!