Sudden Destruction

He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,

will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Proverbs 29:1

There is a vast difference between punishment and discipline. Discipline is about making one a better person, about teaching them to learn from their mistakes and do it right the next time. Punishment, on the other hand, is about making one pay for their mistakes. Discipline is for children; punishment is for criminals. Discipline is for for servants; punishment is for unrepentant sinners. Discipline produces a disciple. Punishment produces a prisoner.

God wants us to be children He can disciple so that we become what He desires us to be. His Word shows us what He expects of us, what He desires for us. But He won't ever make us do what He wants us to do. We don't have to be disciples. We can instead choose to reject His Word and rebel against His will, thereby becoming slaves to a cycle of punishment that leads to our destruction.

Perhaps the worst thing we can do is not change under the loving discipline of God. We choose to sin, to transgress God's ways, and then we suffer the consequences of our actions. On top of that, the Holy Spirit within us brings conviction from the Word, and we suffer guilt and condemnation from the Word and from our own hearts. The voice of God tenderly calls us back to Himself, beckoning us to return to Him from a moment of willful wrongdoing. And what do we do? Just as we had a choice when it came to sinning, we have a choice when it comes to changing.

But the one who is oft rebuked and corrected and called to change, and chooses not to change, is promised nothing but sudden destruction. And this kind of destruction is eternal and without remedy. So it's much better to change now under the chastening of the Lord, than to suffer the consequences of stubbornness and stupidity forever.