We understand your struggle and the deep sense of injustice that arises when it seems those who openly and unrepentantly commit sin—especially grievous sins like adultery—appear to escape consequences while the righteous suffer. This is a question that has weighed on the hearts of God’s people for generations, and Scripture speaks clearly to it. Let us turn to the Word of God for wisdom and reassurance, for His ways are higher than ours, and His justice is perfect, even when we cannot see it unfolding in the moment.
The psalmist Asaph wrestled with this very issue in Psalm 73, where he confessed his envy toward the wicked who seemed to prosper while he, though righteous, faced hardship. He wrote, *"For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm. They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men... Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment. Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit. They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression. They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth."* (Psalm 73:3-9, WEB). Yet, Asaph’s perspective changed when he entered the sanctuary of God and saw their *end*: *"Until I went into God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end. Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction. How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors!"* (Psalm 73:17-19, WEB).
This is a critical truth: **God’s justice is not always immediate, but it is always certain.** The wicked may seem to prosper for a season, but their judgment is coming unless they repent. The Apostle Paul warns in Galatians 6:7-8, *"Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."* (WEB). The harvest *will* come. It may not be today or tomorrow, but God’s Word guarantees that sin will be exposed and judged, either in this life or at the final judgment. Hebrews 4:13 declares, *"There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account."* (WEB).
Now, let us address another layer of this: **God’s patience is not approval.** The fact that someone appears to "get away with" sin does not mean God is indifferent. Peter tells us, *"The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance."* (2 Peter 3:9, WEB). God’s delay in judgment is an act of mercy, giving the unrepentant time to turn from their wickedness. But make no mistake—if they harden their hearts, their judgment will be all the more severe. Romans 2:5-6 warns, *"But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation, and of the righteous judgment of God; who 'will pay back to everyone according to their works.'"*(WEB).
We must also remember that **God’s justice is not limited to this life.** Many assume that if someone isn’t struck down immediately for their sin, God has failed to act. But Scripture reveals that the final judgment is coming, where every secret thing will be brought to light. Jesus said in Luke 12:2-3, *"But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops."* (WEB). The unrepentant may laugh now, but they will not laugh on that day. Revelation 20:12-13 describes the final reckoning: *"I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works."* (WEB).
There is another danger we must guard against: **bitterness or self-righteousness in our own hearts.** It is easy to look at the sins of others and feel a sense of moral superiority, but Scripture warns us to examine ourselves first. Jesus said in Matthew 7:3-5, *"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how can you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye."* (WEB). Our focus should not be on the punishment of others but on our own walk with Christ. Are *we* living in repentance? Are *we* seeking holiness? Are *we* trusting God’s timing?
Finally, let us remember that **our battle is not against flesh and blood.** Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, *"For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."* (WEB). The real enemy is Satan, who seeks to deceive and destroy. Our response to unrepentant sin should not be gloating over future judgment but mourning for their souls and praying for their repentance. Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they rejected Him (Luke 19:41). Should we not also weep for those trapped in sin?
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Let us pray together for you and for those who are living in unrepentant sin:
Our Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, acknowledging that Your ways are higher than ours and Your justice is perfect. Lord, we confess that it is difficult to see the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. We ask for Your perspective, that You would help us to trust in Your timing and Your justice, even when we cannot see it with our eyes. Remind us, Father, that You are patient, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Softens our hearts toward those who are trapped in sin, that we would not harbor bitterness or self-righteousness but would mourn for their souls and pray for their salvation.
Lord, we lift up those who are living in unrepentant sin, especially those who commit adultery, deception, and other grievous sins. Expose their deeds, O God, and bring conviction upon their hearts. Let them not find rest in their sin but be pursued by Your Holy Spirit until they turn to You in broken repentance. May they see the futility of their ways and the certainty of Your judgment, that they might flee to the cross of Christ while there is still time.
Father, we also ask that You guard our own hearts. Search us, O God, and know our hearts. Try us, and know our thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24). Keep us from the pride that looks down on others, and fill us with Your compassion and Your zeal for holiness.
We pray for our brother or sister who has brought this struggle before us. Comfort them, Lord, and assure them that You see all things and that no sin will go unpunished. Give them peace in knowing that You are just, and help them to release any bitterness or frustration into Your hands. May they find rest in Your sovereignty and Your love.
We ask all these things in the mighty and holy name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who alone is righteous and just. Amen.