Sin and Punishment

When we commit a crime and convicted, we are punished. When we commit a mortal sin, what is the punishment? Accident? Illness? Misfortune? Hell?
God is love and some people reason that God will save all. Otherwise, God's creation is not perfect because some of His products fall short of standard. In other words, hell will be empty of human beings. Perhaps even Satan would be forgiven. Then hell will be totally empty.

If such thinking is too optimistic, let us take a look at the history of the Chosen People. God has already warned them beforehand. If they follow the commandments of God, God will bless them for thousands of generations. If they disobey, God will chasten them for three to four generations. Yes, God will punish but God still leaves them room for repentance. For example, the southern kingdom worshipped idols. God sent the Babylonians to conquer and exile them. Fifty years later, the Persians conquered the Babylonians and sent the Jews home to rebuild their Temple. Happy ending!

Let's turn our attention to another direction. What are the causes of homosexuality? It has been a nature-nurture debate since the sexual revolution in 1960's. Some scientists try to look for biological/genetic explanation of homosexual behaviour. Others look elsewhere such as children traumatic experience, domineering mothers plus submissive fathers etc. to look for an explanation. None of the findings are conclusive and the controversy continues.


Paul has a very peculiar explanation of homosexuality in the eyes of modern men.
According to his theology, the invisible God reveals Himself in the visible creation of the world. Therefore, man has no excuse of not knowing God
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20)
OK, Paul was not condemning the atheist scientists. He was playing the role of a moralist in his writing to the Romans. Paul argued that since men has no excuse of not knowing God, their behaviour should follow God's will and they should lead a moral life. God will be angry with ungodly and unrighteous men.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 1:18)
In Paul's mind, the worst, the most ungodly and unrighteous sin is idolatry.
So, how does God show His wrath, His displeasure? By giving them up to more sins (Romans 1:24, 26, 28)!!
If you worship idols (1:23), God will give you up to uncleanness through the lusts of your own hearts (1:24).
If you changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped idols (1:25), you will become homosexual, both gays and lesbians (1:26-27).
If you do not want to know God, perhaps another way of saying idolatry (1:28), you will commit a list of 24 sins (1:28c-31)!!
Therefore, for Paul the Pharisee, idolatry is the chief sin of all generations and all people. It was the root cause of the Jews being conquered by the Gentiles. It is the root cause of many other sins today. If showing anger is one of the many ways of punishment, God punishes in a peculiar way. He gives you up to Satan which would be too happy to torture you, not with illness or misfortune, but with more deadly sins. In a single stroke, Paul combines sins with their punishment. The punishment for sin is more sins. Does it mean anything to you?

Dear Lord, I know You will not give us up. We thank You. Save us. Amen.