Because my two daughters are teachers of young children, I have heard a good deal about Gentle Parenting. Gentle parenting is a parenting style that emphasizes empathy, respect, understanding, and setting healthy boundaries without using punishment. While some of that is good, I think it is important for children to understand punishment, because let's face it, punishment is part of the world we live in.
Drive too fast, or go through a red light? You will receive punishment. Break a rule of your community association? You will receive punishment. Fail to meet your commitments at work? You will receive punishment. Maybe not all the time, but eventually, it catches up with you.
Children must be taught to fear punishment. So must us adults.
Revelation reminds us that God is not only love, but He will also punish those who do evil and refuse to repent.
When He (the Lamb) broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour [in awe of God’s impending judgment] (Revelation 8:1 AMP).
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| Wild fires give us a sense of doom |
There was a hush in heaven, everything stopped in silence as the Kingdom of God considered the impending judgment of the earth. Because it was going to be a spectacular sight. There would be peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. Then hail and fire mixed with blood. Then something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, thrown into the sea.
We need to not only worship Jesus. We must learn to fear Him. Because there will be extreme punishment. It may seem like we are getting away with living life as we please but eventually it catches up with us.
Jesus, who loves us, clearly wants us to know when He returns, there will be frightening events in nature. He is the One in control, Master of the Universe, causing them all. And His intent is to bring all the peoples of the earth back to His Kingdom of light and peace. First He appeals to us gently, patiently, and lovingly. At Christmas He came as a baby in a manger. But when He comes again it will be with fire.
He invites us to love Him, but He warns us to fear Him. We must fear the punishment. Because it will come.
Then I looked, and I heard a solitary eagle flying in midheaven [for all to see], saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe [great wrath is coming] to those who dwell on the earth (Revelation 8:13 AMP)
Beloved, honestly, I am uncomfortable with this side of Your character. But watching my toddler grandchildren reminds me that fear is just as good as love. Continue to remind me that fear is a an aspect of Your mercy! Because bad things happen when we have our own way, when we are not alert to Your voice. I pray with David:
Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.
I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
And I will glorify Your name forevermore.
For great is Your mercy toward me,
And You have delivered my soul from the depths
(Psalm 85:11-13).
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