Articles
“The Way Of The Transgressor”
Solomon said, “Good understanding gains favor, The way of the transgressor is hard” (Prov. 13:15).
Most people think that being a Christian is difficult. Admittedly, the way to salvation is straight and narrow (Matt. 7:13-14). It does require abstinence from the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). Nevertheless, the yoke of Christ is "easy”, and His burden is "light" (Matt. 11:30). Rather than the way of the Christian being hard, the Bible teaches that "the way of the transgressor is hard" (Prov. 13:15). His life is more difficult while on earth than is the life of one lived in obedience to the Lord.
Sin has consequences. All its consequences are not eternal. Sin has its temporal consequences. One cannot sow to the flesh without reaping its harvest of sorrow and woe (Prov. 11:3,5; 13:13; 15:32). For example, the wise man taught that the man who is cruel brings trouble to himself (Prov. 11:17). Sin has its temporal results. Sin entangles its victim, making him a slave of his own lusts. The man who chooses a life of sin brings these temporal consequences on his own head.
Assuming the person in sin comes to repentance, forgiveness is extended by God. His grace covers a multitude of sins. Does that mean the by-product of sin no longer lingers? A person can live the rest of their life as godly as human possible but the result of that sin that was so besetting is haunting. It is not enough that the person who walks in the path of the hard way must deal with himself. The way of the transgressor is also hard because others will not let the person forget it. Sowing to the wind reaps the whirlwind because others never stop blowing the winds of unforgiveness. They cannot move on. So, it is not only the way of the transgressor that one must deal with; his sin is always thrown in his face by others who will not forgive.
Forgiveness, redemption, and justification is not a problem for God. They are a problem for men. But is that right? Should we not help the redeemed person, the forgiven person, to move past the fallout of their transgression? If we constantly remind them, how will they be able to forget the things that are behind? Sometimes the way of the transgressor is hard because we make it hard for them.
Oh, I can just hear, “Well they have not repented.” Our job is not to make sure the person has repented, our job is to make sure we forgive.
The wise person will not have to experience the hard ways of the transgressor to know that is not the path in life to choose. He can learn from the sufferings of others and avoid the path of wickedness. Indeed, he will recognize that obedience to God's commandments is the best life available to him and will devote himself to following in the footsteps of Jesus.
Rickie Jenkins
