When I wrote God Punishes, closed to of my readers insisted the Bible teaches that God doesn't punish believers.
This is an of import subject, then let's address their objections:
Objection: God disciplines but never punishes. We exactly endure consequences.
In English linguistic communication together with Greek, dependent area tin include punishment. More relevant is the fact that Hebrews 12:6 says God disciplines and punishes.(1)
Objection: God is skilful together with entirely gives skilful gifts (James 1:17). Therefore, He's non a business office of punishment, trials or difficulties inward our lives.
Good isn't the same equally pleasant.
Discipline together with penalisation tin hold out skilful for us, increasing our organized faith - Hebrews 12:11; Revelation 3:19. (2)
Objection: Since there's no condemnation for Christians (Romans 8:1-2), there's no punishment.
Condemnation (a concluding verdict) is dissimilar from dependent area together with punishment. Believers are non condemned, but neither are nosotros freed from consequences or punishments hither on earth.(3)
It's of import nosotros cause got the right sentiment of God. If nosotros believe God is perfect together with loving, we'll bring His right to punish His children.
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(1) In Heb.12:6 the Greek give-and-take for discipline tin include punishment. And there's no uncertainty virtually the Greek give-and-take for punish which literally agency "whip."
(2) 1 Peter 1:6-7, James 1:2-4, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
(3) Condemnation is a dissimilar give-and-take inward the Greek than either dependent area or punishment. It involves penalisation afterwards a verdict of guilt. We oft tell a homo is "condemned to death." See Romans 6:23.
For to a greater extent than Scriptures that confirm these principles, banking concern fit out today's Bite Size Bible Study.
Bible Love Notes
