17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creature.
This means that we are forgiven and justified before God, yet still in the process of being made completely new in Christ. Though we are declared righteous, we do not always act righteously. Therefore, our sin still has an effect. Much like a parent still loves a disobedient child, God still loves us when we sin. If we have been saved, our sin does not threaten the security of our salvation. In fact, our salvation does not hinge on our righteousness; it is founded on the righteousness of Jesus. We were dead in our sins and totally unable to save ourselves; it was God's love for us that resulted in salvation (Romans 5:8;
The author of Hebrews speaks at length regarding God's punishment of sin, even for believers. We find in Hebrews 12:5-11:
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
In this context, punishment (here called discipline) is a positive corrective by a loving heavenly Father. Believers are viewed as God's children, not to be hated or despised, but rather disciplined in love.
It is not to imply that God has a hand in deliberately tormenting us just to discipline us, neither is your illness a test of God. He's only affiliate, by proxy, using the tool of suffering, as any other thing, to make you trust in him.
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
In this context, punishment (here called discipline) is a positive corrective by a loving heavenly Father. Believers are viewed as God's children, not to be hated or despised, but rather disciplined in love.
It is not to imply that God has a hand in deliberately tormenting us just to discipline us, neither is your illness a test of God. He's only affiliate, by proxy, using the tool of suffering, as any other thing, to make you trust in him.
Sin also carries certain natural consequences with it. God's rule is designed to be for our good. He created us and knows us intimately. He knows what is good for us and what is not. He does not create rules or give commands simply so that we will obey Him.
God does not need to engage in a power struggle for the sake of His ego. He knows He is in control and His rule is loving. This means that our rebellion against God is really rebellion against what is best for us.
God does not need to engage in a power struggle for the sake of His ego. He knows He is in control and His rule is loving. This means that our rebellion against God is really rebellion against what is best for us.
