1. An example of this is when someone kills another person. “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man” (Genesis 9:6).

2. Some consequences involve a payment back to the individual and sometimes may even involve the death of the transgressor even for other things than murder. “If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you” (Deuteronomy 24:7).

3. There are consequences for everything that we do.

Even if for a time it seems that the person is getting away with it, the Bible says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

4. The clear price for restoration includes payment of some sort. “If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep” (Exodus 22:1).

a. This is the condition for repentance. “If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die” (Ezekiel 33:15).

b. We have the example of Zacchaeus. “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (Luke 19:8).

1. But what if they refuse to repent?

a. Who then is to pay them back?

b. Who is responsible to make sure the guilty are to bear the consequences properly? “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

2. The reason for this is that we do not know the motives of the individual(s) involved.

a. Maybe they were honest in their thinking and made a genuine mistake without realizing what they were doing.

b. Maybe they were trying to help - but as humans, miserably failed.

c. Maybe they were evil but had found repentance. God is the only One that can read the heart.

d. Maybe they are evil and need the full brunt of vengeance.

3. How wonderful it is that God has removed from us this responsibility in trying to figure out what was the motive of the destructive actions of the ones committing the evil.

4. Because our actions here have a lot to do with our eternal destiny, what do we need to learn to do will all experiences in life? “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

a. When we become obsessed with retaliation, we lose the peace and joy of our Christian experience and are just as lost as is the offender.

b. By casting our cares upon God, we no longer have to be obsessed with them.

c. It is Jesus that is the burden bearer, so why take up these burdens upon ourselves?