Purpose of Punishment

[JonC]

This thread is addressing a simple question, so I understand over time it will spread to other topics. The key is "over time".

On another thread concerning PSA I asked what the purpose was for God's punishment against the wicked (that punishment we escape in Christ).

For those unaware of the topic - it is a given that God is holy and that God will punish the wicked.

So what does God's punishment, His wrath against the wicked, accomolish (what is its purpose)?

 

[JonC]

Shalom (שָׁלוֹם) is a Hebrew word for peace, but it signifies more than the absence of conflict. Shalom embodies wholeness and completeness with the character and nature of God in view (God's righteousness).

In ancient Hebrew thought, the purpose of justice was to create a whole, righteous society (Shalom) by upholding God's righteousness.

Pursuing justice is to pursue God's righteousness, this state absent unrighteousness.

The goal of punishment towards those who are in Christ is discipline (correction). Discipline corrects those who are being made righteous, who are being conformed into the image of Christ. This person progressively dies to unrighteousness and is made alive because of righteousness.

The goal of God punishing the wicked is also righteousness. This punishment is described as the wicked being cast out. In Deuteronomy God commands punishment for violations of the Law in order to cast evil out from Israel.

Those of us being saved are cleansed of unrighteousness. The wicked will be cast out as mankind will be cleansed of unrighteousness.

 

[Paleouss]

The goal of punishment towards those who are in Christ is discipline (correction). Discipline corrects those who are being made righteous, who are being conformed into the image of Christ. This person progressively dies to unrighteousness and is made alive because of righteousness.

Greetings to you JonC. Long time no write. Been away on a project.

Musing on your topic, it seems to me that this word "punishment" can be put under the category of "creational experience", i.e., simply all the experience we face in God's creation. This creational experience can be said to have "trials" and also "blessings" in which all mankind faces and receives. We all, as human beings, face trials and are given blessings by God (rain, crops, food etc).

The Bible gives us good insight into how these trials and blessings are beneficial to those in Christ. It further describes these "trials" as chastisement or as you say "punishment" that is beneficial to the child of God and as you also write, this "discipline corrects those who are being made righteous." This "correction" is made possible by the trial, the Spirit and the working faith of those in Christ.

But what about the wicked? Do they not receive similar trials and blessings? When I witness to the lost, can I not connect with them in some trial that we have in common? Some blessing that each can relate to one another?

The point I am heading toward is that both the believing and the unbelieving have similar creational experiences (trials and blessings). To some, the believing, it is a stone that sharpens, to the unbelieving it is a stone of offense. To the believing it refines and shifts the intents of the heart, to the unbelieving it condemns and leaves one without excuse. In other words, it seems to me that many trials and blessings are universal in nature. How it affects our lives many times may be dependent on the Spirit within.

So trials, or punishment as you put it, is given to all and it teaches and reveals the heart. As these creational experiences are intended to cleans unrighteousness...eventually the unrighteous is cast out and mankind cleansed of their unrighteousness.

Keep seeking God's truth as if it were hidden treasure

 

[JonC]

Greetings to you JonC. Long time no write. Been away on a project.

Musing on your topic, it seems to me that this word "punishment" can be put under the category of "creational experience", i.e., simply all the experience we face in God's creation. This creational experience can be said to have "trials" and also "blessings" in which all mankind faces and receives. We all, as human beings, face trials and are given blessings by God (rain, crops, food etc).

The Bible gives us good insight into how these trials and blessings are beneficial to those in Christ. It further describes these "trials" as chastisement or as you say "punishment" that is beneficial to the child of God and as you also write, this "discipline corrects those who are being made righteous." This "correction" is made possible by the trial, the Spirit and the working faith of those in Christ.

But what about the wicked? Do they not receive similar trials and blessings? When I witness to the lost, can I not connect with them in some trial that we have in common? Some blessing that each can relate to one another?

The point I am heading toward is that both the believing and the unbelieving have similar creational experiences (trials and blessings). To some, the believing, it is a stone that sharpens, to the unbelieving it is a stone of offense. To the believing it refines and shifts the intents of the heart, to the unbelieving it condemns and leaves one without excuse. In other words, it seems to me that many trials and blessings are universal in nature. How it affects our lives many times may be dependent on the Spirit within.

So trials, or punishment as you put it, is given to all and it teaches and reveals the heart. As these creational experiences are intended to cleans unrighteousness...eventually the unrighteous is cast out and mankind cleansed of their unrighteousness.

Keep seeking God's truth as if it were hidden treasure

Reminds me of Jesus' sermon -

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.