As the victim watched the thief run away with his wallet, there was nothing he could do but yell those famous words. “You won’t get away with this!” But is that really true? Criminals get away with burglary, abuse, and murder on a daily basis. If they are never caught, how can you say such a thing? You can say it because the Bible says so.
In 2 Peter 2:9 we read that God is able to “keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment.” How does he do this? The word “keep” means “to keep under guard.” It gives the idea that God has the wicked on a short leash throughout life and will not let them escape their just reward for their rebellion against Him. Scripture tells us that all of the wicked will one day be judged by the Lord Jesus at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). But Peter is not just speaking about the future. God currently keeps the unrighteous under punishment. But how does He do that?
It may seem that the wicked get away with their sins, but He, in fact, gives them over to their sin and allows them to get the results which come from practicing evil. In Romans 1:26-32, Paul describes the results given to those who reject God to pursue evil. He makes it very clear that God does not let them get away with their sins. They progressively get worse.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption.” –Galatians 6:7-8 NASB
Perhaps you have known someone who was unfaithful to his wife. While the momentary pleasure may have been enjoyable and unknown to anyone else, an adulterer never gets away with his sin. As he continues down that path, God’s judgment causes him to have a sense of mistrust, a lack of self-control, an addiction to what he can never fulfill. And this wickedness often leads to divorce, multiple marriages, and even medical problems. God will not allow sinful man to get away with his sin now or in the future.
Are you someone who thinks he can get away with sin? Are you under the impression that nobody knows and so you have gotten away with it? Stop deceiving yourself! God will never let you get away with your sin now or in the future. Before you are crushed by the consequences of your sin and face the future consequences, fall on your face before God, repent of your sin, and plead with him for mercy through Jesus Christ the Lord! He is your only hope. Without Him, you will face the just punishment for your sin against God.
