Shadow of Consequence

(written and first published in November 2000... when I started to understand that it would take one more thing aside from the grace of God to keep me from walking though the portal of sin)

I live in the shadow of consequence of sin
No more shame
No more guilt
For that has been forgiven
I am a walking testimony
Of what you shouldn't do
Though purified and sanctified
And walking in the truth
The past is gone
Wiped clean for good
I don't doubt that any longer
But because of what I did in the past
I've made my boundaries stronger
Many think their sin
Is their testimony of grace
They focus on forgiveness
And miss what cannot be erased
I live in the shadow of the consequence of sin
The shame is gone
The guilt is gone
For that has been forgiven
But when I come face to face
With the temptation to give in
I remember not forgiveness
But the consequence of sin