Discipline vs. Punishment
I’m sure many of you at one point wondered this…
Does God punish people here on earth, more specifically does he punish Christians?
We as children are raised with all sorts of punishments; be polite, don’t use swear words, don’t lie, etc….
As we get older we
are conditioned by society as well, don’t steal, don’t fight, don’t drive recklessly or speed (very difficult for me sometimes).
And as we get into relationships with partners, or friends…we also learn to not lie, be rude, deceive or cheat….otherwise there will be consequences.
But what about our spiritual life, are there punishments for committing sin?
We know as parents, pet owners, or maybe bosses…that if you let things slide, that doesn’t actually benefit the individual at hand.
On that note, does God feel the same way about our transgressions?
Interestingly enough, I think people confuse the term punishment or discipline.
When an Officer gives you a
ticket for speeding, he is essentially disciplining you not to speed. By giving you a ticket, he is hoping that you treat the law seriously. He is also trying to get you to slow down to avoid possible collisions that may lead to fatalities.
Is this the same methodology behind Gods discipline for us?
Well, do our sins carry a punishment? (here on earth that is)
Well we can read-
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
The sin that remains in our lives, however, does sometimes require God’s discipline. If we continue to act in sinful ways and we do not repent and turn from that sin, God brings His divine discipline to bear upon us.
Just like a earthly father, our Godly father will discipline us to show he cares and is concerned for your salvation.
Discipline, then, is 
how God lovingly turns His children from rebellion to obedience. Through discipline our eyes are opened more clearly to God’s perspective on our lives. As King David stated in Psalm 32, discipline causes us to confess and repent of sin we have not yet dealt with. In this way discipline is cleansing. It is also a growth catalyst. The more we know about God, the more we know about His desires for our lives. Discipline presents us with the opportunity to learn and to conform ourselves to the image of Christ (Romans 12:1-2). Discipline is a good thing!
Keep in mind, not only do we have to deal with Gods discipline but the consequences of the sin.
For instance, talking badly about a close friend or family member can lead to the loss of a friendship. Thats the consequences of that sin. And all sins have consequences here on earth and in the afterlife, if not repented.
Many of us do not realize this until we experience it. I’m a very stubborn individual, I wish I could learn from other peoples mistakes, but no, I have to live through the sorrows and pain before it sinks in…..
