Many people fail to make a clear distinction between punishment and discipline, and there is a very significant difference between these two concepts. Punishment is designed to execute retribution for a wrong done. Discipline, on the other hand, is to encourage the restoration of the one involved in the wrongdoing. Punishment is designed primarily to avenge a wrong and assert justice. Discipline is designed primarily as a corrective for the one who has failed to live according to the standards of the church and/or society.
Carl Laney

Trying To Balance The Scales

Trying To Balance The Scales TRYING TO BALANCE THE SCALES

“Well, the church I grew up in doesn’t believe the way you folks do.”

Peter wrote his first letter to people who had grown up with strong religious traditions. He wrote,

“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your sojourning here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1 Peter 1:17-19 NKJ)

Whatever your previous religious traditions, God is not impressed with your attempts to bribe Him with “silver or gold”, or with attempts to “balance the scales” by trying to pile up good deeds to offset your sins.

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment.” (Isa. 64:6 NAS)

If your hope is in “scales”, you need to know that your “good deeds” pile up on the same side as your sins. That system doesn’t work.

You need to change systems. Trust Messiah Jesus as your sin-bearing Savior and Lord. Quit trying to “balance out” or bribe God, and ask Him to wash you clean from your sin. “The blood of Jesus, God’s Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

God the Son, the Creator and sustainer of the universe, became a human being and was rejected by His covenant people. He died as the perfect sin-bearing Lamb of God, and arose again in victory from the dead. And to as many as receive Him as Savior and Lord, He gives eternal life, the indwelling and empowering Holy Spirit, and the status of Spirit-born children of God. He will come again to earth to rule actively as supreme King and Judge. You need to submit yourself to Him voluntarily before that time.

God’s dealings with His people in the Scriptures demonstrate His long-suffering, His forgiveness and grace, His desire to bring rebellious sinners back to Himself.

You can never work off your own sins: you are a sinner, and need a Savior.

Jesus Christ says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He is the ONLY Savior available.

Read about Him yourself in the Gospel of John or the Gospel of Matthew. Admit to Him that you need His help, His salvation, that you cannot do it on your own. Become a real child of God, and then take the Good News of free and perfect salvation back to those folks who are depending vainly on their traditions.