Without going into details, I'm currently in a situation where I'm dealing with the consequences of hurting someone.
(Not like, legal consequences or anything, just like...spiritual, emotional ramifications.)
The pain and sadness that's come with this have been a good reminder to share this message with fellow Christians: God will forgive you, but He's not obligated to bubble-wrap you from the consequences of your sins. Under the New Covenant we're free from being condemned to eternity without God for our sins. But this is not a get-out-of-jail-free card, figuratively or literally.
If you commit a crime, God is faithful to forgive you when you repent, but the state will rightfully prosecute you.
There are even still consequences when the person(s) you've wronged has forgiven you. Consider someone who's been hit in the face with a cinder block (no, this was not my offense) - Christ has paid the penalty for that sin on the cross, but the face of the victim will take a long time to heal. Their forgiveness won't make their wounds any less painful or sensitive to the touch, any less swollen or blue. And their forgiveness certainly doesn't obligate them to trust you again, immediately or maybe ever.
Let us strive to live under God's grace rather than trample upon it.
