This was a question I received recently. Without knowing anything else, the question alone broke my heart because I was reminded how I once felt when I believed the same thing.
I was young in my faith (but old enough to have extreme guilt) when God rescued me from the heavy weight that daily rested upon my heart. I didn’t know then what I know now, that God loves us unconditionally, that the devil is the culprit of all accusations and the one constantly reminding us of our past mistakes, and that I needed to forgive myself because God already had.
God didn’t send Jesus to condemn the world.
The first thing we must understand is that God is not in the business of punishing anyone. The Bible says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promises, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance [and the knowledge of truth]” (2 Peter 3:9, 2 Timothy 2:4). This isn’t speaking of salvation only. It speaks of a relationship with God as well.
I think the deep, tangible, pains of regret are often the reason we believe God is punishing us. But in reality, we are simply punishing ourselves at the hand of Satan (much like a bully who grabs our wrists and swings our hands at our own face yelling, “Quit hitting yourself!”) The problem is, we believe the enemy because we can’t take back our shame.
But this is exactly why Jesus died for us.
You and I could never cover our shame.
Think about Adam and Eve. If they had been left exposed, it would’ve been a continual reminder of their treason against God. But in His mercy, He covered them. And in a second act of mercy, He put them outside the garden until He made a way for eternal deliverance.
Colossians 3:1 says, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” This is what God sees—not your shame, regret, or sin—God sees you in Christ. “Then He adds, ‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more’” (Hebrews 10:17).
God would be a liar if this were not true.
Jesus told us who the real liar is– “[The devil] was a murderer from the beginning andd does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). It’s not in God’s nature to lie. But it is in the devil’s nature and he’s the one whispering contrary thoughts of God to you.
The question I was asked is, how long does God punish us for doing wrong? Here’s the answer: if you’re a Christian, He never will. The Bible says, “Whom the Lord loves, He chastens…” (Hebrews 12:6). The word chasten doesn’t describe punishment at all. It means to educate or train. God will help you and I when we approach Him in faith.
What about God’s wrath?
Clearly this is mentioned in the Bible, but what does it mean? Romans 1:18 says, “For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” God’s wrath is this: allowing man to do as he pleases without intervention or help. God’s wrath isn’t punishment. God is love and His nature is to help. So when He is rejected, He steps away leaving people to their own devices.
This is better understood when you read Romans 5:8-9, which says, “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, since we have now been justified by His blood, will we be saved through Him from wrath.” In other words, those who have put their faith in Christ will be saved and helped! God proved His love by saving us when we were undeserving. He certainly isn’t going to abandon you and I now.
For clarity, God isn’t punishing unbelievers either– but unless they repent and receive Jesus as their Savior, they will one day be eternally separated from the love of God.
This, and only this, is the ultimate punishment for anyone.
The Old Testament speaks of God’s vengeance on His enemies and sometimes this confuses people. For example, I was sad to read how the New Century Version translates Psalm 94:1 as: “The Lord is a God who punishes.” All other versions say, “Oh Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs…” This passage is speaking of the enemies of God. And more importantly, the original Hebrew language says NOTHING of punishment in its definition of vengeance.
The bottom line (and answer to this important question) is, God DOESN’T punish us when we fail. In fact, what He says is: “I am faithful and reliable. If you confess your sins, I will forgive them and cleanse you from everything you’ve done wrong” (1 John 1:9, author’s first person interpretation).
One translation says He will be true to His own nature and forgive— not punish.
My best encouragement to anyone struggling with this thought is to believe God’s Word, not your feelings or your thoughts. Forgive yourself (by faith). And remember the words of Jesus concerning your true enemy: “The thief [Satan himself] comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that [you] may have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10).
