The horrors of sin are as incalculable is they are unfortunate. When the Bible speaks of the wages of sin as death (Romans 6:23) it speaks of a wretched condition.
Sin is never committed in a vacuum; nor are its consequences controllable. Even worse, we cannot extricate ourselves from our sins. If we should be able to keep them hid from human sight, we cannot hide from God and conscience. Where shall we go? As Augustine noted, "at times a man's slave, worn out by the commands of an unfeeling master, finds rest in flight. Whither can the servant flee? Himself he carries with him wherever he flees. An evil conscience flees not from itself; it has no place to go to; it follows itself. Yea he cannot withdraw from himself, for the sin he commits is within. He has committed sin to obtain some bodily pleasure. The pleasure passes away; the sin remains. What delighted is gone; the sting has remained behind. Evil bondage!" Yet, even if we could flee from our conscience when we sin, the Psalmist raised the most penetrating question of all regarding sin, with respect to Jehovah, when he asked, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?" (Psalm 139:7; cf. Jeremiah 23:24).
In spite of the terrors of our sin we can be filled with gratitude to the resounding praise of God, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God; through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25). Christ is our only hope! Why not follow Him and be saved (John 6:66-69; Hebrews 5:8-9; Luke 6:46; Mark 16:15-16).
~In Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama, 10/19/97.