No free lunch :) in repentance and forgiveness

tonychanyt said:

Nathan told David (New Living Translation) 2 Samuel 12:

9 "Why, then, have you despised the word of the LORD and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife."

Click to expand...

Then David repented and received forgiveness from God.

13 Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”
Nathan replied, “Yes, but the LORD has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.

Click to expand...

The Lord forgave David. He wouldn't die. But there were other consequences.

14 Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORDa by doing this, your child will die.”

Click to expand...

Whether or not you have been forgiven, you may still be punished.
Whether or not you have repented, you may still be punished.

This world is a testing ground for everyone.

Hebrews 12:

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

It is sad when people see adversity and hardship as tools God uses to train His children. I wonder if the NIV translators embrace the concept or if their mistranslation of Hebrews 12:7 was just inadvertant ("hardship" does not exist in the original language).

tonychanyt said:

This world is a testing ground for everyone.

Click to expand...

Good post. By the way, the source you linked to seems to me a bit sloppy, too easily taken to imply that God tempts us —he does not, as Scripture says.

Life is a road headed for your destiny. On one side, there are thorns and thistles. On the other side, there is swamp and stench. Even so, vines and evil creatures creep out of the swamp and thorns and seek to attack. If you choose to venture to the left or the right, you are subject to the darkness therein. Also, you must resist and fight against the encroaching wickedness from every side. You can only do this with the Lord and by being faithful to Him and His word. You learn to stay on the road and to fight the good fight of faith. The lessons are inherent in this world. He does not have to send them or afflict with them. He intends for us to seek Him, His path, and His ways. Any other action results in being lost. There are also steep hills to either side. If you err from the way, the hills have the effect of driving you back down to the road. Nature itself is designed in such a way to press you toward God. It is built into creation. Even in it's fallen state, the world presses us toward God.
We interpret these troubles as judgment and chastisement..., but it is nothing but a rod and a staff.

tonychanyt said:

Nathan told David (New Living Translation) 2 Samuel 12:


Then David repented and received forgiveness from God.


The Lord forgave David. He wouldn't die. But there were other consequences.


Whether or not you have been forgiven, you may still be punished.
Whether or not you have repented, you may still be punished.

This world is a testing ground for everyone.

Hebrews 12:

Click to expand...

I like this Tony... no "buts"! I agree with it too.

However, I would prefer to use words like, chastised, admonished, reproved, etc., rather than punished.
(perhaps I'm just picking nits).