Do you ever go through something really difficult and wonder if God is punishing you?

In John 9:2-3 we come across a man who was born blind. The disciples saw him and asked Jesus: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

I share this to let you know that hurts or obstacles in your life are not necessarily a punishment for sin. It’s easy to get drawn into that way of thinking.

Granted, if you sin you will bring harmful consequences into your life. (If that’s the case in your situation, don’t blame God for your own consequences!)

But the fundamental orientation of God’s heart toward his own children is grace. When we have faith in Christ, we become adopted into God’s family and household.

Because of that, instead of getting what we deserve, we get more than what we deserve. In fact, we get what Jesus deserves for his perfect faithfulness—blessings and eternity!

Talk about good news!

God loves his children. He also disciplines and refines them, guides and directs them, and leads them forward in hope.

Don’t get so bogged down by faulty thinking that you forget the liberating grace with which God has fertilized your heart.

As we are minded in Lamentations 3:22-23: “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

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Notes:

–“What God can do through you is greater.” Sermon. September 18, 2022. Click here.