Who likes to be punished? When I was little and in my adolescence, I was punished many times. I was very restless and did not listen, so it was inevitable that I had to be punished permanently. Even if I cried, got angry, pleaded, the punishment would be carried out.
When I realized all the mistakes in my marriage, that I had failed my wife, my children and myself so many times, I waited for a long time for the punishment for my actions. I consciously knew that I had to pay in some way for all the mistakes I had made. I walked with fear and prevention that something was going to happen, something serious.
My mistakes made me feel sorry and ashamed; I recognized them before God but never before men, starting with my wife. That sorrow and shame were a burden that seemed like an immense rock on my back that I felt I had to pay in some way in order to get rid of it.
Today I remember those days, and seeing my marriage rebuilt, more united with my children, with provision in my house for shelter, food and clothing, work, excellent relationships with my family and friends, I ask myself: What about the punishment?
Why would I think that I would suffer any kind of punishment as I imagined? The word punish has its roots from the Latin "castigare", which is constituted by the word Castus and agere, which means "to make chaste or to make pure". So, actually punishment real purpose is to correct our path, get the correct way.
"But perfect love casteth out fear. He who fears expects punishment, so he has not been perfected in love" 1 John 4:18
God is a God of love, He did not create laws to suffer, His laws are to liberate. God in his immense love, sent his son to die for us, to die for my mistakes. Why? Because He loves us so much that He wants us to be free, joyful, full, happy, at all times, in all places. Following His words and following Christ brings salvation and redemption, not some kind of sorrow or suffering.
God is a God of love. Believe fully in that, follow the path of his son, follow the trail of his shed blood, which is the path to salvation, to joy that surpasses our imagination and understanding; live free, live happy, live life as a child of God.
God bless you!
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)