Gloriographs by Rick Reynolds

For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. Colossians 3:25

While we may know someone in high places, that someone shows no partiality to those who do wrong. There will be consequences. But the Greek text here does not include an equivalent for the word “consequences,” but simply says, if you do wrong you will receive it back. It will come back “on your head.”

There is the thought in the Christian mindset that a “slight misstep,” though purposeful, might only result in a slap on the wrist. This is not so with an impartial God. There will be an in kind response. Those who realize this know that he is no respecter of persons. The fear of God keeps us from experiencing the self inflicted, unmitigated pain from sin. On the other hand, we can expect any pain caused by doing right will be tempered (somehow) by the Lord’s grace.

With Paul at the time of his “house arrest” in Rome was Tychicus, who would be charged with the responsibility of escorting runaway slave Onesimus back to his master Philemon in Colossae (Colossians 4:7-9). In reading Paul’s impassioned letter to Philemon requesting mercy was the pledge to pay whatever recompense required of Onesimus (Philemon 18), implying that there was indeed a “hard charge” to be paid for the slave’s desertion.

In the context of work, we must be aware that the shoe will eventually fall on those who do wrong, even Christians. These misdeeds would include dishonesty and slacking off. We cannot expect God’s unmerited favor in these cases. The default position is always punishment for our own good. We can appeal for mercy, and perhaps it will be extended, but until it is, we must be dealt with to the “fullest extent of the law,” and it’s usually from natural consequences.

I’d say, better to fear the Lord!