Discipline - or Payment?

He took the punishment for the bad things we do...

how often do we figure someone else has to pay for what they've done ... when we do not? Jesus paid for us. He bought us back from the chopping block... yet we put those who've done us wrong right up there on the block.

this blog entry has a very good point: do kids ever think, "i did something wrong, but i paid for it when i got spanked or timed-out"...? and if so, does that jive with our faith?

not really. Jesus paid for it already. what example is it setting, then? "mmwhaahahaha, you must pay!!!!"

how many of us, as adults, have that same mindset towards others? ..... or towards ourselves? .... but that is now how Jesus looks at us. He looks at them, and us, with eyes of utter grace. such undeserved, merciful grace..... i think that realization motivates us to 'straighten up' a lot more than the impending doom of punishment.

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btw, i'm not - at this point - completely anti-spanking... i have heard some amazing testimony of what God has done in a friend's life thru her loving fathers gentle, grace-filled, loving discipline... which included spanking... as well as long talks, loving embraces, and many tears on the part of both her and her father....the right way.

but i definately think it's done in a bad way much - if not most - of the time. it depends on the child, the situation, etc.

as a contrast to my friend's story, the one time i was 'spanked' - a wet cloth snapped on the bum, not in wrath but in humor for being a ratfink, that ACCIDENTLY made contact and stung like the dickens... with much apologies and hugs after on the part of my mum.... i was traumatized. i think i was the epitome of an example of a child who could have been destroyed by spanking. i was far too insecure and fragile. my mum just had to look at me a certain way and i was devastated to realize i had dissapointed her - that was punishment enough.