Can one still be punished for sin after being born again?

I like how the Message Bible describes someone who is born again:

Rom 6:1-3 “So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we’ve left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn’t you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace – a new life in a new land! (from THE MESSAGE)

Being born again means to leave behind this land of sin and enter God’s country of grace. Who in their right mind would want to keep a house in that land of sin and misery? We are new creatures, changed by what Jesus did for us on the cross. Hallelujah!

Rom 6:11-14 “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” NIV

The apostle Paul explains here again that a born again Christian does not let “sin reign” over his/her life. Instead he/she offers himself/herself to God. He/she is a new creature in God!

However what happens if he/she happens to sin?

1 John 1:9-10 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” NIV

A born again Christian still sins; however it isn’t a deliberate and habitual life of sin any longer. When that born again Christian confesses his/her sins, he/she is forgiven indeed!

One may get the idea that one can sin freely when he/she is born again based on the above text. The apostle John makes it clear that it isn’t so.

1 John 2:1 “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” NIV

1 John 5:18 “We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.” NIV

1 John 3:9 “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.” NIV

1 John 3:6 “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” NIV

Will one suffer the consequences of one’s sins, even after one is born again?

Ezek 44:12 “I have sworn with uplifted hand that they must bear the consequences of their sin, declares the Sovereign LORD.” NIV

Absolutely. Jesus paid the price of our salvation. He made it possible for us to avoid the deadly consequences of eternal damnation, but that doesn’t mean we can avoid the temporal consequences of sins.

For example if I speed on the highway, I will get a ticket. If I kill someone, even by mistake, I will do some jail time. If I am not faithful in my marriage, I may end up with HIV and a broken marriage.

If you feel you are weak, rely on the Lord and He will give you victory! Claim these texts:

1 John 5:18 “We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.” NIV

Jude 24 “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” NIV

2 Cor 12:10 “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” NIV

Matt 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” NIV

John 8:34-36 “Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” NIV

Do you want to experience victory over sin in your life? Come to Jesus and trust Him to give you that victory. Only He can “give you rest”. Only He is “able to keep you from falling”. Come to Him and accept His call at http://www.answers2prayer.org/saviours_call.html. Victory is yours through His merits! Hallelujah!

May I warn those who pretend that to be born again gives you license to live an immoral life: You are heading to a disaster!

Prov 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” NIV

Please read the answers to the following Bible Questions:

Can one freely sin after one has accepted Jesus into one’s life? Check out this link for What Does the Bible Say About … SINNING FREELY?

Can one lose one’s salvation? If yes how and if not why?

Is “once saved, always saved” Biblically correct? Check out this link for What Does the Bible Say About … ONCE-SAVED ALWAYS-SAVED?
In Hebrews 6:1-6; Is this passage talking about possibly losing your salvation? How do you explain and interpret this passage in light of eternal security? Check out this link for What Does the Bible Say About … The SECURITY of SALVATION?

Consider the following Bible texts prayerfully:

Heb 10:26-27 “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” NIV

And

Heb 12:14-15 “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God!” NIV

How do we know that we are in Jesus? The apostle John tells us how:

1 John 2:5-6 “This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” NIV

How did Jesus walk? Was He a sinner? No way!

Heb 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin.” NIV

Read the following Scriptures in prayer and let God’s Spirit open their meaning to you:

Col 3:5-11 “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 1and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” NIV

1 Thess 4:3-8 “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.” NIV

1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” NIV

Eph 5:3-7 “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.” NIV

Gal 5:19-21 9 “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” NIV

May we all come to the full realization of what Jesus wants to do in us and through us. He is faithful! Hallelujah!

Rob Chaffart

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Can one still be punished for sinning after having been born again?

Answer: I delighted to read this question. The questionnaire, I believe should be a serious person who would like to make Heaven his or her home. Thank you for asking and may the Lord uphold you even as you read the following answers to your question.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR NEW NATURE

YOU SHOULD NOT SIN –

1 John 3:4-5,8-9 “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him

there

is no sin. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him;

and

he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”

When you indulge yourself in sin; what is the difference between you and

the

person who hasnot confessed Jesus as Lord. If you continue in your sin, it means your experience at calvary is doubtful. Jesus died so that we

should

have power over sin.

BE LIKE JESUS –

1 Peter 1:3-8 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be,

you

have been grieved by various trials, That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold

that

perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”

Friend, you as a special being after confessing Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Sin should not have domino over you again. Look at the above scriptures and see what you weight in the Kingdom of God.

HOLY LIVING –

Heb. 10:23-27 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful,. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.”

Heb.12:14 “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

1 Pet. 2:21-22 “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth.”

YOU ARE PECULIAR –

2 Cor. 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”

Holiness which is God’s divine nature should be lived by us. It should be

a

bible culture. It is not a common thing now because Christianity has been adulterated. But the scripture cannot be broken. Inflation has not

affected

the wages for sin. It is still eternal death!

When you live holy in a society, home and place of work you shall be like Jesus. You will be able to witness Him effectively to your neighbours and colleagues at work.

Don’t be a slave to sin –

Romans 6:16-18 “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or

of

obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”

Whatever may be wrong in your life that takes you to sin, try to confess

it

completely and decide not go back again. Run away from all appearances of evil. The scriptures says that evil communication corrupt good manner. Be very selective in the choice of your friends. Move with people who are

truly

born again and are heaven conscious.

Beware of sexual sin – 1 Thess. 4:7 “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.”

Proverbs 6:32 “Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding: He who does so destroys his own soul.”

Proverbs 2:16 “To deliver you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words.”

Proverbs 7:5 “That they may keep you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words.”

The wages of sin is death –

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God forbid that you will enjoy the present to get terminated at the end of your pilgrimage here on earth. You are a pilgrim. Take to the rules of

the

Kingdom which is DO NOT SIN!

Greed – 2 Kings 5:20-27 “But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?” And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments.” So Naaman said, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound

two

talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and handed them to two of his servants; and they carried them on ahead of him. When he came to the citadel, he took them from their hand, and stored them away in the house; then he let the men go, and they departed. Now he went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “where did you go, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant did not go anywhere.” Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned

back

from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? “Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.”

Disobedience and greed –

1 Sam. 15:18-23 “Now the Lord sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go, and utterly destroy

the

sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ “Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the Lord?” And Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and

gone

on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. “But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the

things

which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your

God

in Gilgal.” So Samuel said: Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”

The punishment of disobedience –

1 Sam. 15:28, 34-35 “So Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of

Saul.

And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the Lord regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.”

Gehazi and Saul started well. However they had a bad end because of what the scripture says they committed as I outlined them above for you. Would you allow worldly pursuit and your sinful nature to destroy you? Beware!

RESIST THE DEVIL –

1 Peter 4:5-9 “They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”

The devil has no power because you have been regenerated. However, when

the

devil come in his tactics, resist him and he will flew away from you!.

SOME TYPES OF SIN AND INSTRUCTIONS

Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake

which

burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Gal. 5:16-26 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, Idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, Envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Proverbs 3:27-31 “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the

power

of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you. Do not devise evil against your neighbor; For he dwells by you for

safety’s

sake. Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm Do not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways;”

Proverbs 6:16-19 “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A hart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.”

The Lord will help you to stay connected with God in character and godliness.

ENCOURAGEMENT TO REPENT AND LIVE –

1 John 2:1-5 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”

This is not encouraging you to sin. However if you mistakenly find

yourself

in sin, you should not sit down and think that is the end of life. The

Lord

will lift you up and you shall continue to the end. I hope to see you in Heaven!

CONCLUSION:

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing whether good or evil.”

1 Peter 4:7 “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful

in

your prayers.”

1 John 2:6 “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

God bless you real good!

Rev Debo Adeyemo

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Who is a born again believer?

John 3:5-7 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” NIV

A person who is a baptized, professing Christian is truly a new creation in Christ. At a first glance it would seem that once a person is saved, there can be no turning back. However, there is often a struggle between the “old man” and the “new man” even following one’s conversion. None of us are without sin.

Romans 6:1-3 “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”

Please note that St. Paul doesn’t state we no longer have the capacity to sin at all. Rather, he emphasizes that since the old sinful nature was “buried” in our baptism, we are called to live our lives in a much better way. We may still be able to sin, but it is no longer part of our nature to WANT to live this way. If Christians can still sin, can they expect consequences if they never repent of their sins and wilfully turn their backs on God? Yes, and there is Scriptural evidence for this.

Hebews 10:26-31 “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” NIV

This warning from the Letter to the Hebrews is addressed to believers. The Church was undergoing severe persecution and many chose to abandon the faith rather than face death. In verses 35-39, we read “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.”But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”

Eternal salvation is promised to those who persevere to the end. Some who believe very strongly in unconditional eternal security believe that salvation for Jewish believers can be lost, but Gentile believers can’t lose their salvation. This contrary to Scripture, since Galatians 3:28 states, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” NIV

The New Covenant applies equally to all. Is there hope for fallen-away Christians? Yes! Revelation 2:5 “Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” Just as the father in Jesus’ parable about the Prodigal Son welcomed his son back with open arms, our Heavenly Father welcomes us back with open arms when we repent & return to him. Have you fallen away? No sin is unforgiveable except for refusing God’s forgiveness. If you’ve strayed far from the fold, He is waiting to welcome you back and all of heaven will rejoice!

Your sister in Christ,

AJ

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“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1John 3:9.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,” 1Cor 6:9 Not all who claim to be Christians will escape God’s judgment, for some treat the blood of Christ with contempt by their behavior.

“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the Blood of the Covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of Grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:26-31)

Scripture shows that there is a warning against continuous and deliberate sinning. The Lord WILL judge His people in His time. A lot of people say “Once Saved Always Saved,” yet one can fall away from Christianity after being born again. We must be strong and fight any temptations of the evil one. The following scripture is really the way we need to live out our lives on this earth in order to be truly born again. We need to completely engulf ourselves with the Lord so that the Holy Spirit guides us in all things.

“Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:10-18

DeeDee

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Yes, one can still be punished after being born again. That is with the understanding that you are equating punishment with discipline.

Read Hebrews 12:7-11.

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? [8] If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. [9] Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? [10] For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. [11] For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Do we not still sin after being born again? Surely we all sin and continue to sin albeit perhaps not as often as we once did prior to coming to faith. Those sins we do commit after coming to faith are forgiven. Consequently, we are both sinner and saint at the same time.

Yet we are not perfect. And because we are not, we may succumb to some temptation and fall into sin. And we may find that we may continue in that sin. This is where discipline/punishment come into play.

Does not God want us to turn from our sin? Sure He does. Like our earthly fathers who punish us to correct our behavior, so our heavenly Father may choose to punish us (discipline us) to correct our behavior. Sometimes it is punishment that best changes our behavior.

Consider again verses 10 and 11 above. The purpose behind such discipline/punishment is to produce a crop of righteousness – that being godly living, godly behavior, and turning from our sin again.

Discipline/Punishment for sin is an option the heavenly Father may choose to use to correct our behavior. And at the same time, we may take comfort in knowing that such discipline/punishment is not eternal punishment, because our Savior Jesus Christ died on the cross for us so that we might not be eternally punished for our sins.

Serving the Lord with you,

John

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My answer to this question is, yes. The punishment may simply be in the form of the natural consequences that come from something that we did before we were born again. For instance, I know of someone who gave his life to Jesus on October 9, 2005. About a month prior to that, he had been involved in a hit and run accident while driving drunk. That man will still be punished for the next seven years, as he has fines to pay for that long, and he cannot drive a car for the next three years. He is working hard to do the things that he must, but he does realize that God requires him to make restitution for the things that he wrecked, and to pay the fines that were imposed on him.

Other times, we may be punished, after we are born again, simply because we make the wrong choice, somewhere along the way, and we have to go back to God, and ask for forgiveness. Because of His grace and mercy, God will forgive us, but He doesn’t normally just take away the problems that we cause for ourselves. Whatever punishment may be necessary for us to endure is usually given to us, rather than God intervening when He could just make it all go away. God lets us go through whatever we need to go through, in order for us to grow in Him.

Punishment usually is in the form of natural consequences that are set in place by something that we did. If God let us get by with the wrong things–including wrong choices, then there would have been no need for Jesus to die on the cross. I’d rather take the punishment, and have my sins forgiven. Jesus has suffered far too much, already, for my sins. Now, it is my turn to do my best to seek His will, and serve Him all the days of my life……..and into eternity!

Victoria Sonnenberg

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The answer in NO! Christ took all of our punishment on Himself when He died for our sins on the cross.2 Corinthians 5:21, et al. “5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Romans 8:1, etc., “8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

As for speaking in tongues, and prophesying, there is little need for tongues any longer, since we have the written Word of God. There may be an occasion when one is faced with a person of another language, and the only way to communicate is for the Lord to give us a message in their tongue. Jesus is THE LAST PROPHET, and God said, “9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.” Matthew 9:17. “1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” Hebrews 1:1,2. God’s entire prophetic message is found in Jesus. “HEAR HIM!”

Yours, because of Calvary,

Delmer G. Lawson

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Yes, we reap what we sow but the Father is merciful and goes throught it with us.

Linda Shepherd

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Yes you CAN be punished. If the heart isn’t right or one is really not sorry at all HE will not forgive and forget. We have to be honest and upfront with God. HE will punish if we are not sorry.

We cannot play dumb with God.

Leon Whote

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My answer to the Bible question of the month is that; We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s Glory. Man is a sinner by nature; Therefore We are saved by God’s grace. Any sin committed by either a born again or not born agin person is punishable, as long as it is not confessed or repented for. But once one repents of that sin and confesses before God he or she is forgiven and therefore can go unpunished. The same applies to the born again.

Monic Mugala