Why Forgiven Sins Still Have Consequences

We can be 100% confident that when we confess our sins, we receive complete and total forgiveness from God. However, God loves us so much, that he’s allowed the choices we make in life to matter. That means that even when we’ve experienced forgiveness for our actions from God, we may still face the natural consequences for those actions here on earth.

Today, Fr. Mike explains why we still experience some consequences for sins that have been forgiven in confession.

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[danielleellitson]

I love how the Catholic Church is such an ongoing self-improvement workshop. Entering into our situation in such a real way. No white washing. Training. Correction. Heaven readiness camp. Face your realities honestly. Jesus is the Good Samaritan, Satan the robber, the priest is the inn keeper, the oil and the bandages the sacraments. Rehab of life.

[jessealvarez]

I've read that Confession is more powerful than Exorcism because Exorcism frees a body but Confession frees a soul. Powerful stuff and well put by Fr. Mike!

[christophewakim]

Hey guys plz pray for me and for Lebanon ❤️🙏🏼✝️🇱🇧

[itznsdominator]

If it wasn't for Father Mike Schmitz. I'd probably still be a degenerate. Thank you Lord for this beautiful man.

[chachatruth]

If you break a window
You still have to repair it!

[carolhensen]

I have been forgiven, but wow, I blew it and committed a similar sin, I feel I’m a good person with compassion and love I went to confession and have been forgiven once more, consequences are painful….i will never make the huge mistake again God is so good to me. Thank you Father Mike.

[rudya.hernandez]

sin is like mud a demon can see, but after confessing we are cleansed; in Jesus' name.

[VallerieMalkin]

I'm a Catholic-raised agnostic but I'm hanging in with the Bible in One Year - I LOVE it.

[carolyngreen]

Fr. Mike- I’ve been a Christian most of my life and more recently a Catholic convert. I used to study the Bible more in my younger days than I have more recently -until I started Bible in a Year with you.

I’m “seeing” the scope of the story so much better now and thank you for unpacking so many beautiful details and profound truths.

I was especially struck today with the story of Josiah and how the priests found the Book of the Law which had been lost. No wonder the Israelites went astray. No wonder they were vulnerable to doing what the surrounding nations were doing. The stopped listening to Gods Law for them, written out of love.

And now I am like Josiah, rediscovering what had been near me all along but was “lost.”

Thank you for this series!

[Davidjune]

I look forward to purging the remnants of my sins in purgatory so that I enter heaven cleansed of all the bad choices I have made in life

[jenlovesjesus]

Saint Paul said to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Obviously, this does not mean that we are saved by works, but that we actively repent, live the Gospel, and strive to live a holy life. Accepting the consequences of our sins is an integral part.
Thank you Father.

[jaspervinodh]

Thank you Father Mike. It's less painful to suffer the consequences now than go through purgatory. Thank God for removing the eternal consequence. I m still convicted here and now.

[ansond]

Never had this explained to me in this way. But, I get it. I get what you're saying.

[cjmartinez]

Pray for mr boys, I’ve fallen and I desperately need to make it to confession, yet I don’t have a lot of control on when or how we make it. Pray to Inspire in my parents the power of confession so they can take me and I can be renewed. Thank you and I’ll be praying for you

[whirfor]

Sometimes the consequences that people levy on us are disproportionate to the harm of our sin. That's the hard part: when consequences are expected but someone is hellbent on making you suffer far more than they did. (I find it's the non-Christians in my life who are vindictive. Fortunately my brothers and sisters in Christ have much more grace.)

[sanzzz]

My 2 year old thought the intro was hilarious and kept making me replay the “he’s back, he’s back!” part lol

[armoreno]

I agree that choices have consequences, and I have concern with some of these videos.

Yes, choices have consequences, and yes, we should work with God to make the best choices possible. But we are also human and we fall short, and this is where Jesus comes in.

As Christians (whether Catholic Christians or non-Catholic Christians), we claim to be followers of Christ and claim to do His will while we are here on earth.

However, as we emphasize that people must “earn” restoration, we risk falling short in imaging God’s love to others. As we share this type of message, this can be a HUGE stumbling block that we create for ourselves, for those who listen to our advice, and those we encounter.

Why do I say that?

Well, we are reminded in Matthew 9:13 that Jesus desires mercy and not sacrifice. We can also see the example of mercy in the Parable of the Prodigal Son; the father welcomed his son back immediately and threw a party. We can also see it in the story of the adulterous woman when Jesus talked about casting stones.

When someone hurts as we walk through the world, we can either focus on our woundedness (and turn inward and give way to selfishness), or we can give our woundedness to Christ for His healing and then focus on getting His strength to help us overcome our sinful tendencies. If we choose the latter, then we can more clearly image Christ’s love, including to those who have hurt us. (Hurt people hurt people, so if we remember that then we can see them as our brothers and sisters and love them well.)

This may sound daunting, but it becomes easier as we remember that we are ALL the recipients of the unmerited grace and love of God (Pope Francis has actively reminded us of this.) We are called to use that grace we’ve been given to draw others towards God and we are measured in obedience by the amount of love we show others; Galatians 5 reminds us that the entire law can be summed up in a single decree: to love your neighbor as yourself. (I could go on for miles with references. ☺️)

No offense is meant from this comment as clearly this mindset comes from a place of pain and woundedness and Fr Mike is not alone in this mindset. It does sadden me though since I know how influential you are (your videos were pivotal in my signing up for RCIA) and I want us to build up the kingdom of God and strengthen each of our ability to witness.

All this to say, I hope to see a transformation from all those who call themselves Christ-followers (whether Catholic or non-Catholic) and that we may each become one with Christ’s sacred heart. May we each be humbled by the knowledge of His love for us and may that help us image His merciful love to all those we encounter. I will pray for this transformation. 🙏🏼

[sbpzcdk]

The consequences of our sins will make us wise

[servantofmary]

Thank you Father Mike, I needed this teaching so much because I have sinned so much in my life and had put myself on the broad road to destruction. Now with the Sacrament of Confession and God's grace I can, with sincere resignation, carry my temporal cross which I myself have fashioned through my poor choices in life, and reach Calvary where I will embrace Our Lord and Saviour.

[susankbboudreaux]

God is good.. Father you matter. Glad you are back.