"What punishments of God are not gifts?" -- J.R.R. Tolkien

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(c) Deborah Evans


This quote, "what punishments of God are not gifts?" from author J.R.R. Tolkien, gives us insight into how to understand God's connection with us.

The nature of God's relationship is a progressive interaction. Even punishments that bring us closer to God's heart and closer to the image (character, submission, and obedience) of Christ are gifts of God. See Romans 8:29, I Corinthians 15:49.

When we are punished by humans (parents, teachers, etc.), that punishment cannot be separated from the frustrations, irritations, unchecked anger, and shortcomings of those parents, teachers, or others.

None of those appear in any punishment (corrective or directive action) taken by God because none of those shortcomings or emotional imbalances are part of God's character. They cannot be displayed or imposed by God.

When we understand God's entire purpose in redemption and salvation is to make us like Jesus, to conform us to Jesus' image (personality and character---not supernatural power), we will understand why God corrects us in ways that sometimes feel like punishments. God's purpose is to remake us into creatures who can enjoy and celebrate our relationship with him. When God sees us going the wrong way, choosing the wrong priorities, and adopting wrong habits, God will use everything at his disposal--- which means anything and everything---to turn us back to the right path. That's what love does. Despite emotions and appearances, love only seeks elevation and redirection, not painful, purposeless torture.

If you are a Christ follower and are in a time of correction, seek the lesson, learn the lesson,  relax into God's goodness, and move forward.

Walk through it all in faith, knowing you have not been abandoned or rejected. You have been given a gift, a gift that's only given to those who are loved. Learn the lesson and allow yourself to become more completely conformed to the image of Christ.

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