Punishment.

.
.
I hear, every once in a while, that the whole world, this group or that, and sometimes even specific individuals, are in trouble. Of course, this is true. The stars do not need to be lined up, the earth will not need a major (or extra) natural calamities, and nothing really needs to happen for a great falling of men to occur. We have done all the work all by ourselves. While our politicians and elites continue to make the situation worse, even good politicians probably cannot stop the disaster we are about to face and on a global scale, which by the way has nothing to do with CO2, warming, cooling, change or such. Actually, our seeming decision to attempt to intervene rather than adapt to natural changes is a major part of the harm that is to befall us.

In baited breath, I often hear how this will be God showing His anger. Often by disgruntled Christians. This often sounds to me much like the sayings of the secular elites regarding global... whatever, change is it now? His anger at our "rape of the world", His anger at abortion, His anger at this, that, and a thousand other things. And, while I do believe God has anger, it is not necessarily at us. It is at sin. I understand the bible discusses God's wrath. I also think that portion of the bible was written to men in such a manner that they then and now could read it in human terms, without an assumption of an understanding of God, and still gain certain things.

When God says, "Though shalt not...", He is not telling us "...or else". He is simply trying to teach us true physics. If He said, do not climb that mountain without ropes and tying in well, people would understand the thing as merely wise advice. But when He tells us to not do something seemingly would do in a natural seeming way, like coveting a wife, property, or such, many shake their fist at Him and say they will do what they like. God, when He gives warning, is not threatening. He simply suggests that if you do this, that will happen. Often He does not say what will happen. Hell, of course, is an option. But too, social decay, economic failure, and all manner of other ills are possible while we are still living.

I do not believe, as well, that the anger of God is manifest in the way people believe. Should we do unwise things, we will obtain bad or no fruit. If we jump off a mountain, we will fall to our death. If we drive our car with great speed into a concrete barrier, we may well die and will most likely at least suffer greatly. So, in the time we suffer as we fail, it would be best to consider that it is not God who is punishing us, it is merely that we have ignored His advice and now must bear the bad fruit we have produced.

So many people think so literally and linerally that they must, by needs, always blame God. Little people will lead little lives. Hating the only being truly capable of loving them, even in their sin, seems so odd to me. Blaming the physicist for advising about gravity does no good. Further, do what you like but you will still pay a price for ignoring that advice. That, friends, is not punishment. What remains to me is to attempt to follow His advice no matter what else happens. Even if there were no heaven, a better life is worth the small costs of following simple advice. Thankfully, there is a system in place for when I fail. And punishment is simply reality.