God’s Law of Retribution

1. God’s Law of Retribution Retribution: something done or given to somebody as punishment or vengeance for something he or she has done. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life (Gal. 6:7-8).

2. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. (1 Cor. 10). Actions Will Come Back To Us You shall speak to him, saying, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Have you murdered and also taken possession?’” And you shall speak to him, saying, “Thus says the LORD: ‘In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours’” (1 Kgs. 21:19). Then someone washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood while the harlots bathed, according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken (1 Kgs. 22:38). • Many are slow to realize that God’s retributive justice is very exacting. • God’s law of retribution just as fixed and immutable as God’s physical laws. • Physical law: Gravity • Spiritual law: Punishment for sin • One purpose of OT - Remind us (1 Cor. 10:6-12) • King Ahab (1 Kgs. 21:19; 22:38) • Haman (Esther 9:25) When Esther came before the king, he commanded by letter that this wicked plot which Haman had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows (Est. 9:25).

3. Facts from Galatians 6:7-8 • We Are All Sowing. • Flesh (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Jn. 2:15-17) • Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) • Sowing, We Shall Reap. • Judged by our Actions (2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 14:3) • Many Misunderstand God’s Patience (2 Pet. 3:9-15) • Sowing, We Shall Reap What We Sow. • Paul Crucified Self (Gal. 2:20) • Reaped Eternal Life (2 Tim. 4:7-8) • Sowing, We Shall Reap More Than We Sow.