The Lie of Instant Retribution
I remember hearing the phrase "God will get you for that" growing up. The belief was that God was somehow in the instant retribution business. You have to know that I was basically a "goodie-two-shoes" who didn't go looking for trouble, and I was actually afraid of making Him mad. You can imagine my dilemma!
On the one hand, I wanted to please God, and on the other hand, I was in fear of total annihilation. How that lie got started is beyond me. It helps to know the truth, which is that God is a God of mercy. In layman's terms, His love for us far outweighs our shortcomings.
The only "God's going to get you" we will see is the love He surrounds us with. It is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance (Romans 2:4), not His anger.
By Rick “Papa” Wilson