On July 7, 2011 the Oakland A’s were playing the Texas Rangers. In the second inning, one of the A’s hit a foul ball that went into the stands, then bounced back onto the field. So as a friendly gesture, Rangers outfielder, Josh Hamilton picked up the ball and tossed it to a fan in the stands. Hamilton’s toss was a little short, causing the man to lean over the railing in an attempt to catch the ball. Unfortunately, this caused the man to lose his balance, topple over the railing and fall head first to his death.
I can only imagine how badly Josh Hamilton feels. Although he intended no harm to this fan, his action resulted in the death of this man. As I have listened to the news reporters and sportscasters comment on this sad event over the weekend, I couldn’t help but think of a spiritual application. For how many times does this very thing happen in our homes and in our churches. How many fathers and mothers will make spiritual decisions that are not intended to harm their children, but they do that very thing. A period of “spiritual slumber” for mom and dad results in the unintended faithlessness of their children. Harsh words, judgmental attitudes, and a critical spirit unintentionally sours a child, spouse, or neighbor and they rebel against what they’re told is “Christianity.”
Friends, "no man lives to himself, and no man dies to himself" (Romans 14:7). We all influence other people for the better or for the worse. Give diligence to make sure that the choices you make in life don’t have unintended consequences that will haunt you later.
Definition of unintended consequences: A positive, unexpected benefit (usually referred to as serendipity or a windfall). A negative, unexpected detriment occurring in addition to the desired effect of a choice. A perverse effect contrary to what was originally intended (when an intended solution makes a problem worse), such as when a policy has a perverse incentive that causes actions opposite to what was intended.
This is the very reason why the Apostle Paul continues on in Rom 14 and says we should not judge one another in any form or fashion. Judgments have unintended consequences beyond our own scope, ability, or intended action. We are all accountable to God, God is God and we are not. We should always choose love over everything else, for the intended or unintended consequence of love is always love.
Rom 13:8
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
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