Question:
Are there any differences as far as consequences for sin on earth or eternal consequences?
Answer:
As to eternal consequences, the Lord says that when He comes to judge, some of the unsaved will be beaten with few stripes, others with many stripes (Luke 12:47, 48). The judgment will be given to those unsaved according to their works. John said: “I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Revelation 20:12).
If we don’t want to sin—as a Christian, we must hide the Word in our hearts (Psalm 119:11). Hiding the Word is allowing Christ, who is in us, to live His life through us. Our sins may cause others to not be saved, but the more we fill ourselves with the Lord, we won’t have room for sin. If you love Him, you will want to please Him.We praise the Lord that the Christian will not come into judgment (John 5:24), for God judged Christ for our sins on the cross of Calvary. But we 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 says that our “works” are going to be judged. The Lord knows what we have done, and why we have done things (out of pride or out of love for Him). He judges our works to give us rewards which will determine our place in the kingdom of God. We will all be one family, having Him as our Father in heaven, but we should get as much knowledge of Him now as we can (1 Corinthians 2:9,10), so that we will get more rewards to cast at His feet when we see Him in the glory (Revelation 4:10).