Adults or Children of God?

Greetings on another rainy day!

This morning at the gathering at Digger's Rest, we were reading Hosea 5:15 - 6:6 and talking about whether or not God punishes our bad behavior.  Hosea puts these words in the mouths of the people: "it is [God] who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up."  One voice at the table said that God, like any parent, has responsibility for correction and guidance and sometimes the only way to get the child's attention is through punishment.  Another voice countered that God has given us free will, so when we make mistakes, we have to expect there to be consequences.  God doesn't punish, therefore, but God doesn't protect us from the results of our actions either.  

Maybe the question is, are we youthful children of God or adult children of God?  A parent would be irresponsible if they didn't protect children from some consequences or take the opportunity to use disciplinary tactics to teach their young children behavior that was right and good.  At the same time, as children grow, they need to take more and more responsibility for their own actions.  Parents cannot and should not shield their children from all consequences.  As adults, we are morally and legally responsible for our speech, our actions, and our failures to act.  Consequences, whether a guilty conscience or a legal judgement, must be dealt with. 

The message of faith, however, is that, whatever the nature of your actions, God is merciful and full of grace.  Authentic repentance yields forgiveness.  Forgiveness does not mean that all consequences are removed.  Reconciliation with those one has hurt, restitution for damage or theft, and payment of social debts legally imposed need to be made.  God's forgiveness cannot change that, although sincere repentance may be responded to by humans as well. 

In Hosea, God says, essentially, "I will wait until the people seek me out."  When they do, God gently reproves them for being "like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early." God says, "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."  

In Matthew 9: 13, Jesus tells his accusers, "Go learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." He quotes Hosea here to help him establish his reasons for seeking out sinners. Sinners are the ones who need God's forgiving and healing grace.

I guess I come down on the adult children side of the discussion, although we often do not act like it.  Maybe, we are more like adolescents, still figuring out what it means to be grown up.  God may need to do some discipline at the same time as letting us take our own lead.  Hmm.  

Still thinking.

Background stuff:

The law as set forth in the Torah specified particular payments for various sins, from an offering of doves to very serious penalties.  Everyday errors most often were satisfied by sacrifices.  In addition, sacrifices of animals were specified for offerings of thanksgiving and honor. In a similar way, in the late medieval church, sins could be regularly cancelled through granting of indulgences (abused to become a payment of money for forgiveness) or through a fixed set of prayers or devotional acts.  Although the goal was to make people more faithful, and the process was reformed several times, many have continued to see it more as a system of balances than a means to faith.  

Protestants have leaned more toward an emotional change of heart, a commitment of self to God.  For some this is a specific time and place of devotion and dedication.  For others, a lifelong process of learning and working and growing in faith.  We at Zion tend to emphasize the latter.  We are more able to support growth and faith development processes than we are more dramatic conversions, but I suspect many of us can claim a bit of both in our histories.

Note:

So, what can I do to get some feedback here?  You don't have to write an essay - a few words is good.  Some sign that I'm not just talking to myself would be nice!  Say "Hi" if nothing else.  

Blessings!

Marlea