While the difference in the boys’ words is ever so slight, the attitudes of heart manifested by each are worlds apart.

When we sin, we indeed do great harm to ourselves. We bring God’s wrath upon ourselves (Ephesians 5:5 ff; Colossians 3:5 ff), render ourselves spiritually dead (Romans 6:23) and find ourselves separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). When we persist in sin, we seal our eternity in hell (Revelation 21:8). This, of course, goes without mentioning the physical consequences we suffer here and now (cf. 1 Peter 2:20; 1 Peter 4:15). Indeed, God will punish sinners!

However, as God’s children, have you ever stopped to think about how we can disappoint and grieve our Father in heaven by the sins we commit? This should positively effect our actions far more than the fear of God’s wrath, for “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:17-19). God loved us enough to send His only Son to die for us (John 3:16). Yet, when we sin, we reject God’s love for us by crucifying again the Son of God, putting Him to an open shame (Hebrews 6:6).

God, as a loving Father who is not willing that any of His children should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), is indeed grieved when we sin (Genesis 6:5-7; Psalm 95:10; Ephesians 4:30). Like any father who loves his children, God only wants the best for us. If only we would be as concerned about our Father as He is for us (cf. 1 John 4:19; 1 John 5:1-3).