How does God deal with disobedience? We know the ultimate result, hell and eternal damnation. But there seem to be many lesser approaches. I think this is because God prefers repentance to damnation, but there is only so much He can do. Sometimes He works with plan B. Sometimes the last chance has come and gone.
What are some examples?
Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden. Sometimes our actions generate a response from God and there is no turning back. Adam was destined to start working for a living and Eve to go through childbirth. I am sure that they repented many times and I am just as sure that God forgave them but the banishment endured and sin was released on the world. Let that be an example of what we might expect.
Shortly after that Cain murdered his brother. God punished him with some kind of a sign to keep people from killing him. There is no indication what that sign was. The only thing I can think of is literally a magic billboard hovering over his head. So he was punished but still a target of grace.
The Bible is full of examples.
At the tower of Babel the people were divided by language and forced to spread out.
Anybody not on the ark with Noah was destroyed.
When you move into history we can date you have Sodom and Gomorrah. Although they were not given a chance to repent, God at least was willing to spare them if there was a righteous seasoning.
When some of the Jews rebelled against Moses they were swallowed up by the earth.
David lost a child because of his dalliance.
Nebechanezer ate grass for years,
Judas was condemned for eternity. Jesus did not try to reason with him just as he let the Rich
Young Ruler go his way.
Paul was blinded for a few days
Annaias and Saphira were struck down.
Obviously this is not an exhaustive list.
The severity depended on whether God knew you would repent or not.
If the punishment was not fatal, the length of time depended on how long it took to repent.
God is serious about people living righteous lives. People are serious about not living righteous lives. In this battle of the wills God will only be so patient.
Something to think about as you plan your day.
homo unius libri
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Opus 2023-016: God’s Bad Guy List
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Hello Pumice...Hope all is well with you and yours. May I tell you about an afternoon that God blessed me? I'm an 80 yr. old lady, widowed for 45 yrs. now so have learned to do a few necessary things on my own. We've have freezing cold here in Illinois and yesterday my remote garage door did not work when I came home from some quick shopping. So, thank the Lord, I was able to push open the garage door. So tonite I spent putting a new battery (those tiny flat ones) into my door remote..I read internet for help...NOTHING! Then I said a kinda really strong prayer to the Lord to help me find the answer...It took two tries, I'm a slow learner...3rd try, fit the new battery just right, and IT WORKED!! Just must say I did a dance in my garage to say "Thank you, Dear Lord Jesus, for helping me find the right way". It's not the first time He has given me great help but oh my, when he does, I am filled with such thankfulness.Yes, The Dear Lord just makes my life filled with goodness.
ReplyDeleteIt is too bad you didn't have a video of the dance. It might go viral on some social media. I think there are a lot of little ways God blesses us and we miss or forget them. Thanks for sharing yours. Maybe it will stir the memory in others.
DeleteGrace and peace
Pumice, writing as Anonymous
Great thoughts! Thank you. I have missed your posts the last few days.
ReplyDeleteAs I get older I find it harder to convince myself that I actually have anything to say. At that point I realize that one of the reasons I am still cooking on all burners is that God has a use for me. I think one of those uses may be sharing thoughts with the world.
DeleteThanks for checking on me.
Grace and peace
Pumice, writing as anonymous