A good statement to start with in this connection is the following one: "God does not stand toward the sinner as an executioner of the sentence against transgression, but He leaves the rejectors of His mercy to themselves to reap that which they have sown. The Spirit of God, persistently resisted, is at last withdrawn from the sinner and there is left no power to control the evil passions of the soul, and no protection from the malice and enmity of Satan." Great Controversy, 36.
THE NATURE OF GOD'S GOVERNMENT & THE PRINCIPLES OF HIS DEALING WITH SIN
1. "The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of His government... Rebellion was not to be overcome by force. Compelling power is found only under Satan's government. The Lord's principles are not of this order. His authority rests upon goodness, mercy, and love, and the presentation of these principles is the means to be used. God's government is moral, and truth and love are to be the prevailing power." Desire of Ages, 22,759.
2. Therefore, "We are not to regard God as waiting to punish the sinner for his sin. The sinner brings the punishment upon himself. His own actions start a train of circumstances that bring the sure result. By choosing to sin, men separate themselves from God, cut themselves off from the channel of blessing, and the sure result is ruin and death." Selected Messages, vol.1, 235.
This is made perfectly clear in the following statements:
"I was shown that Satan would entangle and then destroy, if he could, the souls he had tempted. God will bear long, but there is a limit to His mercy, a line which marks His mercy and His justice. I was shown that the judgments of God would not come directly out from the Lord upon them, but in this way--they place themselves beyond His protection. He warns, corrects, reproves, and points out the only path of safety; then, if those who have been the objects of His special care follow their own course, independent of the Spirit of God, after repeated warnings, if they chose their own way, then He does not commission His angels to prevent Satan's decided attacks upon them." E.G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol.14, 3.1.
"Soon God will show that He is indeed the living God. He will say to the angels, 'No longer combat Satan in his efforts to destroy. Let him work out his malignity upon the children of disobedience; for the cup of iniquity is full. They have advanced from one degree of wickedness to another, adding daily to their lawlessness. I will no longer interfere to prevent the destroyer from doing his work.'" E.G. White, Review & Herald, vol.4, 335; Patriarchs & Prophets, 98; Testimonies, vol.8, 50.
