Is God punishing us?

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Permalink Reply by Claire on October 30, 2008 at 1:31am

I think it is more true to say that He allows us to experience the consequences of what we have done. He is the perfect Parent and He is just as well as loving, merciful and gracious. For example, if we drink too much God will not take away the hangover and if we are greedy and reckless with money then God will not prevent us getting into difficulties. If I may dare to quote from Tolkien here, 'The burned hand teaches best; after that advice about fire goes to the heart.'

It is not always possible to identify the exact cause of suffering (apart from the general one of the Fall) and we cannot say that the fact that a person is suffering, in whatever way, automatically means that they have sinned. On the other hand, Hebrews talks about God disciplining His children whom He loves. If we behave selfishly, greedily or foolishly, God will lovingly teach us not to do those things again. After all, He disciplined His people Israel when they turned their backs on Him.

Of course, when we repent and turn to Christ, He takes the punishment for our sin on the Cross. However, we should show our gratitude for that by trying to live Christlike lives rather than using it as a license to go out and sin some more, as Paul discusses in Romans.

The problem is that in the current crisis, it seems that the people who worshipped the idol of money and were greedy and reckless with it are not the ones who are suffering. Instead they are the ones who are being bailed out by the Government, while those who have worked hard, set up small businesses and saved cautiously, etc, are losing out. Moreover, the developing nations had nothing to do with what has gone wrong either, but they are also suffering the consequences. We need to both pray for God's mercy, forgiveness and provision and take seriously our stewardship of what He has given us so that we can help those who are in need at this time.

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Permalink Reply by John Pantry on October 30, 2008 at 12:38pm

Excellent thoughts - thank you Claire!

John Pantry

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Permalink Reply by JASON FROM BORONIA on October 22, 2009 at 10:24am

John Christians must help all people whenever they can Jason

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Permalink Reply by JASON FROM BORONIA on November 1, 2009 at 8:23am

Hi Laura Great Topic you have bought to us on John's doscusion group. My answer to this topic is If you confess your sins to God He forgives them though we do not deserve His forgiveness.

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