My lingering trial, like any other trial we go through, has created some soul searching questions. Questions can be a good thing because asking the right questions, hopefully, leads us to right responses. Some question, though, are not easily answered. Some are gut wrenching to even ask. Like this one, “Did God take away my voice, my preaching ministry, and my vocation because he is punishing me?” I cannot begin to describe to you the turmoil this has churned up in my soul. Throughout many years of ministry, I have counseled countless other believers who have asked the same type of question. Now, it’s my turn.

In this post, I want to talk about the question and the answer. We will get to what I believe is a biblical answer, but we need to start our discussion by addressing why we would even ask such a thing in the first place. The question, I believe, reveals a gaping flaw in our theology.

Sin Deserves Punishment

Some of the struggle involves the fact that the Bible is very clear that sin and sinners deserve punishment. The storyline of the Bible is filled with dreadful stories that vividly portray the effects of the curse and of the punishment brought on all creation by sin. Running alongside the Gospel story or the good news is the bad news. Death. Pain. Decay. Disease. War. Famine. Shattered lives. Rape. Incest. Murder. Disaster. Sorrow. Hell. Lake of Fire. Torment. Darkness. One reason the Gospel is such good news is because the ramifications and punishment for sin is horrible news. We cannot read the Bible without being very aware of the fact that sin will be punished. It must be (Genesis 3; Lamentations 4:6; Roman 6:23; 2 Peter 2:9; Revelation 14:11).

Not that we need convincing, but the Bible is also very clear about the fact that all of us have committed sin. We have sinned tens of thousands of times. Even after our salvation experience we sin many times on a daily basis. We sin without even knowing we’ve sinned. We are absolutely saturated by sin. Remember now, sin deserves punishment. All of us have sinned. It is no wonder, then, that when we as believers suffer we might feel like we are being punished. After all, it is what we deserve (Romans 3:10-25, 5:8,12; Galatians 3:21-22).

Full Atonement

May I gently yet joyfully remind you of one of the most glorious truths in all creation? God punished Jesus so He would not have to punish us. I like to personalize it. God punished Jesus instead of me. In Eden, Adam’s sin brought the curse but God sent the second Adam, Jesus, to break the curse. On the cross, God unleashed upon Jesus every ounce of His holy wrath. Every bitter drop of punishment deserved for every sin was poured out upon God’s Substitute (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:25; 1 Corinthians 15:45-59; 1 John 2:2, 4:10).

Guilty, vile and helpless we,

Spotless Lamb of God was He;

Full atonement! Can it be?

Hallelujah! What a Savior. 1


If you have been redeemed and reconciled to God by the finished work of Christ, why do you think God would still need to punish you for anything? God punished Jesus instead of you. Christ made “full atonement” for our sin. God’s wrath was completely satisfied by Jesus. There is no reason for the child of God to live in terror of God’s punishment.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that since God has already punished my sin that I can happily live in it. Does sin have consequences? Absolutely. Is it okay for believers to willingly sin? Absolutely not! Do God’s children need to confess sin? Of course. We unnecessarily fear punishment that Christ took for us. The biblical motivation for not sinning is God, himself. Loving Him. Adoring Him. Fear of disappointing Him, not punishment from Him (1 John 4:18). 2

Unnecessary Guilt

Sadly, many believers who could live in the incredible freedom of forgiven sin are crippled by unnecessary guilt. This guilt becomes internalized to the point that the believer thinks that they must somehow appease God so the guilt will go away. So they do more. They do more soul-winning. They read more Scripture. They wouldn’t miss church for anything. They have to do something for the guilt to go away. Dear believer, God did everything already.

I love the ESV translation of Isaiah 6:7.

And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

There is a distinct difference between unnecessary guilt and godly sorrow. Godly sorrow is grace. It is a gift from God that leads to repentance. Self-imposed guilt is a burden God has made provision to completely remove. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

Unhealthy Withdrawal

Rather than doing more in order to salve a guilty conscience, some believers will fall into despair and depression. They lose the hope of ever having the kind of peace with God that the Bible describes. Once again, we turn to the Psalms for a powerful reminder.

Psalm 42:5

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance.

The word “disquieted” is potent, yet perfectly describes the spirit of many believers. Here are are a few other texts from the Psalms that use the same word.

Psalm 46:3

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Psalm 46:6

The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted.

Psalm 59:6

Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city.

It should not surprise us that people who live with a soul that is raging and howling would plummet into despair. No one, no matter how emotionally stable or strong they may be, can endure that kind of roaring inner turmoil.

Look back at Psalm 42:5. God is our only hope for deep and lasting soul refreshing rest and peace. God offers not only to forgive our sins but also to remove our guilt and shame. If shame and guilt are roaring within you, go home to your Father. I promise you, he is waiting with open arms to welcome you home.

Behold Our God

Your view of God will dictate how you answer the question of punishment. Your view of God affects everything about you.

Who has held the oceans in His hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice
All creation rises to rejoice

Who has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of His words?
Who can teach the One who knows all things?
Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds?

Who has felt the nails upon His hands
Bearing all the guilt of sinful man?
God eternal, humbled to the grave
Jesus, Savior, risen now to reign!

Behold our God, seated on His throne
Come, let us adore Him
Behold our King, nothing can compare
Come, let us adore Him! 3

  1. Hallelujah! What a Savior. Words and Music: Philip P. Bliss. Stanza 3
  2. No doubt, some readers at this point are thinking of Hebrews 12. Please understand that I don’t claim to have all the answers but I would encourage readers to trace the usage of the terms translated “chasten, “chastise” and “chastisement.” I want to suggest that there is an eternity of difference between God’s disciplined instruction and angry punishment. Certainly, there are times when God’s training feels like “scourging.” Remember the audience of the book of Hebrews. They were facing painful and persistent persecution. My concern in this post is that too many believers live in crushing dread of a God who is always angry with them. That is Islam, not biblical Christianity.
  3. Words and music by Ryan Baird, Jonathan Baird, Meghan Baird, and Stephen Altrogge. © 2011 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. All rights reserved.