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“Were all sin now visited with open punishment, it might be thought that nothing was reserved for the final judgment; and, on the other hand, were no sin now openly punished, it might be supposed there was no divine providence.”
- Augustine
The Punishment of Sinners
24 Wednesday Mar 2010
Posted in Quotes
What kind of God would punish those who had no “choice” in their sinful actions?
My friend, a non-Christian can do nothing but sin, and not only that, he chooses to sin, willingly. It is his or her nature to chase after sin, and drink down injustice like water. (Job 15:16)
For the Christian, he or she also chooses to sin, but is convicted of it in due time, repents and returns to the way of righteousness, living life according to the written Word of God.
The kind of God who punishes sin and the sinner, is a righteous God, just and holy. The God of Scripture is the one true God, and He will be glorified either in your salvation, by His mercy and grace through regeneration, or your eternal damnation, by His justice.
Amen! As Romans 1 reminds us: Sinful man sins because he is born in sin to sin. The natural man rebels against the General Revelation of and from God, suppressing the Truth therein, and sinning all the more. Unless God has chosen the man for salvation, the man will continue his rebellion with Hell being his choice. The doctrine of Reprobation tells us that God, in sorrow, passes over some sinners to save others, that He predestinated unto eternal life, for His glory.
If a non-Christian can do nothing but sin and do it willingly even though he has no other choice but to do it, then how can it be “sin” to him and/or how can God judge/punish him for doing it? Thanks for your replies.
Jason,
I appreciate very much your questions, sincerely. Listen, you need to understand the definition of sin itself. Sin is a transgression of Gods Law. It is lawlessness, living as if God has not given you a law to obey (I John 3:4). The fact is that when we are born, we have already transgressed His Law in Adam. Adam is the federal head of every human at birth. When Adam sinned, you sinned, it’s like you were there, and you were, because Adam represented you. But now, upon repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, He (Christ) becomes your representative!
He died, taking on Himself the wrath of His own Father in our place, so that we might live in righteousness, and truly have life eternal.
Is there any particular reason why God chooses certain men for salvation?
Yes there is Jason, because it pleased Him to do so. Everything God says, commands and does is right and just, because He is God, the Creator of all things, both the Just and the Justifier, and we are not.
Jason, Romans 9 might help you with the questions that you ask. It talks of God’s sovreignty and predestination and election. All men are formed out of the same lump. All deserve the punishment of hell but God in order to show forth His mercy has mercy on some and saves them. He did this before the foundation of the world. The ones who receive mercy receive it based on God’s choice not man’s. The rest only get what they deserve. If you are one who knows the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord it is because He chose you before the foundation of the world and regenerates you at the appointed time and you believe and then He sancitfies you and then when you leave this earth He glorifies you. It is all of Him and He gets all the glory. So if you are one of His then I know that you are very thankful. I know I am. Praise God! He had mercy on me, a sinner saved by grace.
Hope this helps. Romans 9:19 is exactly the question you asked.
By the way, the quote was from Augustine. Wasn’t he in the Catholic church? I don’t understand why the fascination lately with his work.
I humbly submit my question.
Thanks.