“God is going to punish me for disobeying him.”
I was listening to the confession of a former investment banker who swindled hundreds of his clients. I did not know his spiritual background nor the nature of the relationship that this man had with God. However, as I listened to his self-analysis, I understood his perspective. For many of us, including myself before I became a Christian, we may view God as a stern and unmerciful judge. If we sin and wrong God, we must be punished. Since God created us, He must be like us. If someone wrongs us, we should also judge them harshly and seek retribution, even invoking the Bible, cloaking it in the pious statement, “An eye for an eye.”
It is true that God may chasten us when we sin and disobey Him. However, God is sovereign and He always acts with His perfect will and purpose. Chastening may be a punishment for sin but it also may be preparing us for greater challenges yet to come.
For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
Hebrews 12:10-11 (NLT)
When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, my understanding of God changed and expanded. I realized that I was projecting my own insecurities and prejudices upon God to justify and rationalize my actions. I did not understand that while God does judge, He does so with mercy and grace. As Pastor and Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe wrote, “God in His mercy does not give us what we do deserve, and God in grace gives us what we do not deserve.” Only God knows what we deserve to receive when we sin. We do not know when this will occur but we do know the reason; He chastens us so that we may share in His holiness.
Our relationship with Jesus Christ is a continual preparation to become like Him. Justified. Sanctified. Purified.
Amen!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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