Prodigal: I am a little unsure of where to go today?

Me: I know, but remember that the Lord is with you.

Prodigal: I think that is the key about today.

This is from the book Parenting: From Surviving to Thriving by Charles Swindoll

Divine punishment, on the other hand, is a very real product of sin; however, it does not come by way of natural consequences, but by supernatural wrath. It doesn’t come indirectly through the world, but directly from God Himself. The arrival of Jesus Christ on earth began a new era, an age of grace. When Christ died on the cross. He took our sins upon Himself and endured the wrath of God on our behalf. If you have accepted His gift of grace by believing in Him, you will never experience the wrath–the divine punishment–you deserve. In grace, Jesus took it all and left none for you. None.

If, however, you choose to trust in your own goodness or hope that your good deeds will somehow purify or counteract your bad behavior, if you reject His free gift, God’s wrath waits for you. When you die, or if the Lord should return before then, you will surely suffer divine punishment for your sins. But not before. Even though you continue to live in rebellion, the Lord uses the consequences of your sins and poor choices to teach you, all the while extending to you the offer of fellowship with Him.

God does not cause sin and He does not ordain evil. But He will use the sad results of sin and poor choices for His own purposes.

Clean your hearts and maintain that right relationship with the Father. Now is the time because decisions are needed to move forward.

Matthew 5:18

For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org