There are always consequences

 Have you ever wondered if your rebellion has an effect on others? Wonder no longer! We cannot live outside of God's will for very long without it having an effect on those around us. Either they will suffer direct consequences of our rebellion, such as when a drug addict brings drugs into the home and an innocent child gets hurt by them, or they will be indirect, such as when a spouse engages in an extramarital affair and there is a division of family through divorce. The effects of your rebellion are felt by many more than just you.

Jonah said to the men, “I know I did wrong—that is why the storm came on the sea. So throw me into the sea, and the sea will become calm.” Instead, the men tried to row the ship back to the shore, but they couldn’t do it. The wind and the waves of the sea were too strong—and they were becoming stronger and stronger. So the men cried to the Lord, “Lord, please don’t say we are guilty of killing an innocent man. Please don’t make us die for killing him. We know you are the Lord, and you will do whatever you want.” So the men threw Jonah into the sea. The storm stopped, and the sea became calm. When the men saw this, they began to fear and respect the Lord. They offered a sacrifice and made special promises to the Lord. (Jonah 1:12-16)

Jonah knew he was in the wrong. He knew he was outside of God's will, and I believe he knew the storms these sailors were enduring was a direct result of his rebellion. He even goes so far as to acknowledge that he knows he did wrong, but he still isn't at the point of turning away from his rebellion and doing what God desired. Isn't it amazing how we can be unwilling to do what God asks and then when we realize we have been 'found out', we still choose to continue on in our rebellion? Given the chance to confess that he was wrong and then to ask God's forgiveness, he chooses to just be 'thrown overboard' and take his chances. 

Sin has a way of convincing us that our 'chances' might be okay on our own, when God clearly knows they will not be good at all. The choice to rebel against God's will ALWAYS has consequences. If not immediate, the cumulative effect of those choices will lead to some form of consequences in the end. We cannot outrun God - nor can we expect others to not suffer when we choose rebellion over obedience. It is never easy acknowledging our sin, but it is always more difficult to endure our rebellion. Just sayin!