Is it right to punish someone?
When is it wrong?
When is it right?
Who can punish another?
Do you have authority to punish anyone? How?
"Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
Punish him with the rod
and save his soul from death."
-Proverbs 23:13-14
(This is not meant for siblings, but for parents.)
The emphasis of punishment on earth is for a swift change in behavior, to avoid a much greater danger. Have you known parents to spank a child who disobeys and runs into the street repeatedly? The pgreater danger is from death by car accident. Sure, warning and scolding the child verbally is appropriate to inform them of the danger, and instruct them of the rules, but a disobedient child many times learns faster through metered pain distribution, and in cases where timing is key, punishment is vital.
Does God use pain to teach us lessons? …to avoid catastrophés? Give an example.
"God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power"
-2 Thessalonians 1:6-9
Punishment from God should be avioded at all costs. The higher the authority of the punisher, the more serious consequences can result from our misconduct. Warn others about the danger of not being right with God, and share your hope with them about God's love to allow you to escape what you deserved. His focus is on getting right with Him, but if we refuse, punishment is just a matter of timing.
Would you rather have a parent who loved you and would use pain when necessary to teach you important lessons, or a parent who wanted to be your buddy, but was silent on matters of dangers of life and death? What would be more helpful in a dangerous environment? Either way, God cares enough to warn you, and has the integrity to follow through on His word with those who ignore His boundaries.
God punishes not because He is mean, but because He is just. God forgives because He loves. God wants repentance, because God wants us to come to Him. He has laid it all out for you to accept. Will you take His offer, or take your chances?
-4/17/7
-Ezra
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