Sometimes it seems the harder we try to accomplish something, the more we fail. We try to do good things, and they never turn out just as planned. We know what we should do but keep coming up short. Paul describes this best in Romans 7:18-20 where he worries about his sinful nature and wonders if he has any good dwelling within him. Paul explains that he does not do the good that he desires but is guilty of doing evil that he does not want to do over and over again. Paul wonders if the sin living in him does the evil because it is not him that wants to do evil. Thomas Aquinas was a great theologian in the 13th century. It is believed that from Aquinas’s study of Psalm 37 and Romans 5:1-5, he came up with the statement “no evil deed goes unpunished, by God the just judge;” and “no good deed is unrewarded, and so every good deed merits some good.” (Evans, 2022) The phrase “no good deed goes unpunished” has developed out of these statements. Several individuals have taken credit for the quote, but it has not been adequately documented. The latter is a skeptical twist and does not convey the true meaning of the original. Matthew 12:35 reminds us that good things will happen out of the good that a good man offers, and evil offerings from an evil man will result in evil things. Sometimes a person doing a good deed is punished by the lack of appreciation from those they are trying to help. Not appreciating the good act shows contempt and betrayal. It is easy to see that a good persons feeling would be hurt.
What if the betrayal is much larger than hurt feelings. What if the betrayal caused the person offering the good deed to be drawn into a criminal act or terrible sin. We often hear of someone giving someone an innocent ride to the bank. And then, the person robs the bank, causing the person offering the good deed to be involved in a major felony. Unfortunately, the innocent person’s word will be the only defense against the apparent circumstantial evidence. The victim of this scenario can only pray that the bank robber will tell the truth. Recently a story emerged about a situation that was nothing more than someone doing their job and finding themself involved in a terrible act. A person driving for Uber or Lift must carry their fare to where ever they are instructed. What if the person asking for the ride goes to an abortion clinic? Would this person be implicated the same as the get away driver? Exodus 21:22-25 addresses abortion directly and is very stern in the aftermath of the perpetrator. These events involve a vehicle, an innocent driver, and unintentional consequences. Would both be considered sins? Both are answerable to earthy authorities, one the court system the other the court of public opinion. The first is accountable by mans law, the second is accountable to the conscience of the driver. But neither had intent nor desire to be involved in the outcomes. Both will be reviewed by God.
Unintentional sin is an offense against God that is done unintentionally or by mistake. In the earthly criminal court, probable cause and intent must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt to be judged by their peers. It is very fortunate that in God’s court, the Judge already knows the intention of those involved. One of the first things we learn as Christians is that we sin as humans. We try hard and constantly fail, either intentionally or by accident. It would be difficult to know how many times we sin each day. Romans 3:23 reminds us that we all sin and fall short of the glory and depend upon the grace of Jesus to be redeemed. We must confess our sins and repent. God promises to forgive our sins and iniquity in several places in the Bible . Other than blasphemy, we can ask for forgiveness and be forgiven. Mark 3:29, Hebrews 10:26, and Mathews12:31-32 are very plain in defining what is forgivable.
In our examples, it will be essential for the two individuals to inventory their hearts and minds and know their true intent. Once they establish that they genuinely did not intend to be involved in the events, they can be assured that their involvement will be forgiven. They will need to forgive those that caused the problems as a part of the process. Matthew 6:14-15 reminds us to forgive so we can be forgiven. God knows we make mistake, he knows we are weak, and he expects us to admit our shortcomings. Colossians 3:12-13 states, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
Evans, A. (2022, 3 20). Second Presbyterian Church. Retrieved from “Is It True: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished?” – Psalm 37; Romans 5:1-5: https://www.2presrichmond.org/sermons/2022/3/21/is-it-true-no-good-deed-goes-unpunished-psalm-37-romans-51-5#:~:text=Endowment%20Fund%20Give-,%22Is%20It%20True%3A%20No%20Good%20Deed%20Goes%20Unpunished%3F%22,%3B%20Romans%205%3A1%2D5&text=%E2%80%9CIs%20It%