God’s Correction Is Not Punishment

by Rick Warren — March 15, 2023
From Where is God When It Hurts

“Let God train you, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children.”

Hebrews 12:7 (TLB)

Do you know the difference between correction and punishment?

Punishment is a penalty for the past, and correction is training for the future. Correction is discipline, not punishment.

When something bad happens, we often think God is punishing us when God is actually just correcting us. How can we know this? Because God doesn’t punish his children. Jesus has already taken all of the punishment for every sin on the cross.

Every sin you have ever committed and will ever commit has already been paid for. So God doesn’t punish you for your sins—but he does correct you. His correction is the evidence of his love, because he doesn’t want you to keep going the wrong direction.

One way God corrects us is through pain. Hebrews 12:8-10 says, “If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness” (NLT).

God doesn’t correct those who aren’t his children. As a father, I didn’t correct other people’s kids, but I certainly corrected mine. I did it for their good because I wanted them to know the joy of following God and doing things his way.

God wants the same for you if you have chosen to follow him and are his child.

Following Jesus means cooperating when God brings any kind of correction into your life—not because he wants to punish you but because he loves you. When God corrects you, he isn’t mad at you. He’s mad about you!

The Bible says, “Let God train you, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children” (Hebrews 12:7 TLB).

God’s correction is for your good, even when it comes with pain.

Talk It Over

  • Typically, we don't change when we see the light; we change when we feel the heat. How has this been true in your life?
  • Why do you think God only corrects people who are in his family?
  • If you believe God’s correction is for your good, how should you respond to him when he disciplines you?

No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, you’ve got a place in God’s forever family ready and waiting for you. The invitation is wide open. Just believe and receive.

Trust in God’s character and the grace he extends. Confess your sins and ask God to forgive you. Claim the promise of Jesus, that salvation is free and open to anyone who turns from their sins and agrees to follow him as their Lord and Savior. Humbly ask God to accept you into his forever family.

Are you ready? Here’s a prayer you can start with: “Dear God, I know when I die, I’m going to give an account of my life to you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins and toward you.

“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all that I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know only your grace can save me, Lord. I could never be good enough to get into a perfect place.

“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I humbly ask you to save me. I believe in you, Jesus. And I believe you will keep your promise to save me instantly, certainly, completely, and eternally. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.