Twenty years previously, Aaron Giles lost a small identity bracelet he was wearing. He was about five years old and was never sure where he lost it. Aaron believes he lost it while playing at his grandfather’s farm in Fairmont, Minnesota.
A lot of time has passed since, and his grandfather’s farm is no longer standing. How surprised he was when the piece of jewelry was returned to him. It was found by a meat cutter, who found it when removing a chicken’s gizzard. The object was in good condition, and the name was still legible. It was believed the animal came from a farm near where the boy had lost it 20 years previously. It was there the fowl swallowed the shiny object.
Many times, deeds done a long time ago rear their reminding head. If it was a good deed, and we are reminded of it, we smile and remember happily. If, however, the deed was something we are now ashamed of ever having done, we cringe at the remembrance that we were the ones who did the shameful act.
Again and again, crimes that were done a long time ago come under re-investigation. Surprised are the villains when the law arrives at their door to arrest them for a crime that they may have even forgotten they had done.
Adulterous acts have often been revealed to spouses many years after the sin was committed. Government officials running for office have had to resign from their race for office after it was discovered that they had cheated on a long-past college exam. People have been rejected from getting jobs because of the discovery of their criminal activity many years before.
Like Mr. Gile’s bracelet recovery, the wages and the public exposure of sin can occur long after the act was done or performed. There is a principle taught in the Bible about iniquity. It is that no one gets away without paying a price tag for their transgressions. The act may have been done in secret, but it will not always be hidden. As Moses reminded His people, “… be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
Many suffer in this life from a payday of sin long after the deed was committed. Adulterers often pay for their trespass by eventually losing their families. Thieves’ salaries for their sins are often paid by jail time. Liars pay time and a half for their dishonesty by separation from friends who no longer trust them. All, if unsaved and not receiving Jesus’ death as payment for their sin, will suffer in a dark, lonely, painful, eternal Hell.
God wants no one to suffer the aftershocks of sin. That is why He desires us to keep far from the damaging grasps of iniquity. No matter who you are, your sin may be revealed – somewhere, sometime. Its embarrassing reminder can turn up.
