Consequences
By: Joyce C. Lock
God has moments of anger, like as do we. However, some have misconceptions about His response. There's an unspoken law of consequences between the forces of good and evil, a result of being born into a sinful world.
In observing my daughter, as a very young child, whenever she was disobedient. If I didn't discipline, she'd suddenly become injured or some other mishap. It was as if God was punishing her, or so I thought.
Once God gave me an example of how it really is.
Imagine yourself standing between the sidewalk and curb. Your hands are wrapped behind your back, tied to a tree. A car is coming and your child runs into the street. You've no physical means of reaching that child.
Hearing the speeding car, first thoughts come faster than you can verbalize, "No! The car will hurt you!"
You scream a plea, with anything you think might cause that child to change their direction, before it’s too late. That is how it is with God. Were it any other way, He'd have to take away our freedom of choice.
There are consequences for running out into the street! And, the parent is way beyond distraught even before the accident occurs, because they have a glimpse into the future.
Imagine how God must, sometimes, feel watching His children run the wrong direction. When the consequences come and we didn't heed God's warning, God didn’t do it to us.
Think about it. If our parents wouldn’t smack us with a moving vehicle because we didn’t obey, if you wouldn’t run over your child as punishment for not listening … we were made in the image of God and He loves us so much more. The truth is, when consequences come, there is no one else to blame. We would have done it to ourselves.
© by Joyce C. Lock http://my.homewithgod.com/blessingsandlessons/ This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.
In addition to being a published author and poet, Joyce C. Lock created the religion column, "Christianity Made Simple" for Peru Daily Tribune, continues to write inspirational articles for area newspapers, and shares further in online and e-mail ministries.
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This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of PrayWay. It is provided for informational purposes only. As always, weigh everything with the Word of God, which is the only inerrant source of information.
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