Having baby out of wedlock, what is the penalty?

May 14th 2015 | 44946 views 

All life is precious to God and to Jesus. Your life is precious as is the life of your baby. It is in God’s plan to bless ALL of mankind in due course - regardless of the circumstances that brought them into this life.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (KJV)

It is God’s divine plan to eventually bring everyone to a point that they can understand the work of Jesus and may choose to accept Jesus as their savior. Then they will be forgiven all their sins and under God’s gracious provisions, through Jesus, obtain eternal life. Therefore, from an eternal perspective, God’s loving kindness will be shed upon all. That being said we must also recognize that there are natural consequences to our present actions.

Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” (NAS)

God’s expected arrangement for a family was a loving father and mother working together to provide the best, balanced environment for the upbringing of their child. It is those responsibilities that attach to the raising of a child that are enormous.

Having a baby out of wedlock carries with it a set of consequences that are serious and life transforming. (For a believer, the greatest impact may be the feeling of displeasing God, disobeying His orderly family arrangement.)

However, the natural “penalty” is the challenge of being a single parent. Responsibilities, burdens, and joys cannot be shared. Certain social consequences may impact the life of both mother and child. There are the tender moments that the child, with no father present, will not experience. There is the teaching, the stability, and the discipline, that naturally come into play in the child’s life when a father is with them daily.

These natural consequences we would answer are the “penalty” to use the questioner’s terminology.

If viewed with a thoughtful mind and God directed conscience, one can readily see that these are the serious, lifelong natural consequences. But beyond these, we know of no other “penalty.” And if a woman is in this situation, then speak your heart to God telling Him your feelings, and move forward, accepting His forgiveness. Move forward now, by doing the best you can for your child. Live a life that honors God as you raise your child in the years ahead. Our life is not measured by one event or act, but rather as a whole. Use your opportunities to bring honor and praise to the Lord as you are able.

Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1241: “Is It a Sin if I…? (Part II)”
Discussing sex and sin-related questions using biblical principles
Having a child out of wedlock discussion begins around 00:29:24
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CQ Rewind Show Notes 

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