The past several days has reaffirmed for me the biblical axiom "be sure your sin will find you out" (Num 32:23). The truth will eventually surface no matter how much time has passed. I am referring here to a civil case to which I have been privy over the course of the past week in which a young couple sued to recover damages received to a property they had purchased in 2005. The trial ultimately revealed a web of lies, deceit and cover-up (including the defense to confuse the jury).

The facts of the case presented were fairly straightforward. This couple made an offer to purchase a piece of property at a specified price but were told by the selling agent that other offers were on the table and the only way their offer would be accepted was if the couple would agree to forgo a home inspection. Ultimately, the prospective buyers agreed, upon the condition that the seller would provide two cleared termite letters from two independent agencies. What was ultimately revealed, however, was an ‘inspector’ who was not licensed provided the first termite letter and the second was a complete forgery (to which the man testified). The second bit of compelling evidence was when the main worker who was hired to rehab the house testified to the fact that he discovered ‘major termite damage’ but was told to cover the damage because the seller was on a budget.

The cover-up had been successfully perpetrated until the couple who purchased the residence in 2005 tried to sell a year later. It was then that a home inspection revealed the extent of the damage. All potential earnings they were to receive from the sell of the house were spent to repair the damage.

One can only wonder what the seller had in mind regarding the known termite damage. Perhaps he was counting on the family living in the house for a number of years before the damage was discovered, and if challenged, would then claim the damage occurred after they had moved into the property. Regardless of his state of mind, he was confident that his actions would not be discovered. But he was wrong. Even though the deception transpired almost four years ago, a jury ruled to hold this individual accountable. He was ordered to atone for his actions.

Similarly, we all will be held accountable for our thoughts, words, and actions. No matter how much time passes, there will be a day of reckoning in which the great Judge will sentence everyone according to his deeds. The next time you think someone has escaped judgement for an unfair act, just remember that he will be held accountable either in this world or the next.