Frequently we may overhear someone express this question. Maybe it is when the boss comes in one day and informs everyone that from now on each worker is responsible for cleaning up their own workstation. What did I do to deserve this!? Or – Why is God punishing me? Often the person making this complaint is not exactly your church going type believer. In fact usually it is made by someone who has almost never darkened the doorway of a house of prayer. We also hear people express some sordid type of prayer when they are tying to hit a golf ball and it sails off in the wrong direction. Or perhaps when they are using fishing tackle and the big one gets off the hook. We never hear these folks say "nature damn," or "why is nature punishing me." Believers in God understand that God is always good in every sense of the meaning of good. Unbelievers cannot possibly understand the teachings of the Bible about the goodness of God until they believe the Bible is God's word. If you are willing to accept God's word as the revelation to man of God's absolute truth, then you will come to know God's amazing qualities. The Bible declares that God is certainly powerful beyond human comprehension. He created the entire material world, (Genesis 1) and can create any other universe at His pleasure. The omnipotence of God does not mean that He is some tyrannical dictator just watching and waiting to see if we do something wrong and then thump us with His finger. We learn in the word of God about his goodness. "You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you." (Psalm 86:5 NIV) There are many characteristics that describe the goodness of God. Jesus referred to the Father in Heaven as perfect. (Matthew 5:48) In addition to being perfect, God is holy, righteous and just. He is the complete description of wisdom, love, kindness, grace, mercy, and every other quality that can be described as good.
Whenever we consider the righteousness of God, we understand that God presents us with the highest standard of morality and human conduct. There is no standard higher or better in any respect than what God gives us in His word. God always cleaves to what is right and just. And God demands that people live up to his perfect standard of goodness.
The justice of God demands that he acknowledge and reward goodness, and rewards evildoers according to the evil deeds. When Moses had finished chiseling out the two stone tablets with the law written upon them, God made known His righteous and just characteristics: "The LORD, The LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished." (Exodus 34 NIV)
God will surely carry out His punishment of those who live in disobedience toward His divine will and purpose for our lives. The Bible even speaks of this punishment of evil as part of His righteousness: "He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth." (Psalm 96 NIV) "In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong." (Nehemiah 9 NIV) When we read about the judgment and punishment that God brings upon evildoers, we understand from the scriptures that this is never intended as a means of destroying the person, but rather to bring the person back to God. Punishment is meant to correct, so that people will turn from sin and do the right thing. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 112 NIV) Some punishment is given so that we will grow even stronger in our faith.
The final judgment of God will come upon all those who do not turn from their evil ways. Sinners who refuse to listen to God can live in expectation of his wrath. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) That day is surely coming to pass. The most wonderful way in which we see the goodness of God expressed is when we come to understand His grace. Instead of giving out punishment to us when we are deserving of it, God shows the full extent of his love: "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7 NIV) Friends, if God is really punishing you today, you must surely know that you are living in rebellion to God's good and perfect plan for your life. Why not turn away from the evil way and choose the only good way that leads to eternal life. If you have never accepted the wonderful salvation that is offered to you by the gift of God's love, then why not make that choice today. Receive Jesus Christ as your Savior by confessing that faith, repenting of your sins, and obeying the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ. You are invited to attend the services of the Church of Christ which meets at the corner of 3rd and E Streets. Please write to me with any questions or comments at P.O. Box 186, Cedar Key, FL 32625 or dgbinkley@aol.com. Or you may also request to receive the daily WORD OF THE DAY by e-mail. Check out our web site at www.cedarkeychurchofchrist.com. |
