Love is the Answer

When it comes to God’s Love, Punishment for sin, & Consequences, here’s what I’m learning:

1) God doesn’t pull away when we do wrong; He pulls us closer.

“Where can I run to get away from you? If I go up to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, you are there.” (Ps 139:7-8 GW)

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2) God doesn’t punish us when we sin. Jesus already took all that punishment away.

“He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace...” (Isaiah 53:5 GW)

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🤔: So how do consequences work?
😇: Glad you asked:
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3) Growth+maturity:
A child gets driven to school—an adult gets to drive to work. Children can get away with rudeness—adults must use their words carefully. The more we grow in our faith & the more we become like Christ, the more responsible we become. That’s how maturity works.

“... We are being changed into His image with ever-increasing glory.” (2 Cor 3:18 GW)
“Ever-increasing” means, it takes time😓

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4) Sin:
Between receiving Salvation & maturing in God’s image, we often fall short. It’s like learning to walk—we trip & fall sometimes.
And we sin.
BUT
Since sin doesn’t separate us from God, (see: 1), & since it doesn’t result in Punishment (see: 2), it means, sin has lost its power.

“The sting of death is sin; & the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 15:56-57 KJV)

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Therefore, sin shows lack of maturity in our walk with God. We missed the mark. A saint falls 7x but gets back up, etc.
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5) So, if there’s no punishment, how does God respond to sin?

Well, if you fail your exam, will a good Father send you out of school? He’s more likely to give you •more• school (extra lessons) & show you •more• kindness by teaching you the topics again! (“...the Spirit helps our weaknesses...” Rom 8:26)

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📣He will not leave you stranded to teach you a lesson.
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Conclusion:
Sin slows us down, just like failing a class. But Love covers and RESTORES us.
And that’s what this really means:

“…Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness…” Rom 5:20-21

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🙏🏽