If God planned our lives, why do we do wrong and get punished for it?

Question

So, Rob, how do we know what his plans are so we can stick to them?

Answer 1

He didn't

Answer 2

The concept of 'wrong' is an experience, much like riding a bike. God 'allows' us to do 'wrong' because it is an experience, and a temporary one at that.

In other words, if you knew that stealing something would give you the experience, and thus teach you to never steal again, then the momentary 'wrong' cancels out any future wrong, and is thus allowed. It does not mean you won't get punished for it, for the punishment is part of what rectifies and cements the 'wrongness' of the behavior, but the punishment only lasts as long as the lesson.

Answer 3

Why do you think God planned our lives? We are made in his image with a free will to choose what we do. If you are referring to predestination, that doesn't mean our lives are all planned out like robots. If you are referring to the cliche that God has a plan for your life, that usually means He has given you special gifts and talents to be used according to your personality, interests, skills, etc. in ways that honor God.

We do wrong because we choose to and it is part of the sin nature of humans. We get punished for sin because we deserve it. If we steal something, we go to jail because we deserve it.

God is just, but He is also merciful and full of grace. He didn't leave us to serve our own punishments, because He wants to know us and have a relationship with us.

So, he became one of us to take the punishment for us. Since the "debt" for sin has been paid, we can either say, "I don't care; I'll pay for them myself." In which case, the person would be punished eternally. OR we can say, "OK, I'll accept that Jesus was my substitute for the punishment." In that case, we are acquitted of the crime, forgiven of the debt, or in otherwords, justified (just as if I'd never sinned).

That's the wonderful thing about being a Christian--you don't have to be perfect. You can live your life and make choices freely because the "legal" transactions for sin have been dealt with. Those of us who are true believers, try to make choices in our lives that will please God--not because we are afraid of the punishment from sin--but because we love Him so much for "saving" us from it!!!

Answer 4

We're not robots. God's plan is for our salvation, not to obscond with our freedom.

And God's plan is that we come to love. Can true love be forced? Isn't it rather a gift?

When we "do wrong" isn't it that we have chosen not to love?

And if we are made for love, for that giving, then when we fail to live according to the intimate design of our being, don't we in a sense damage our own relationship with ourselves? And doesn't that lead to a rupture in relationships with others?
So, couldn't it be that sin carries with it its own punishment?

Answer 5

God created us. Like a young child in the womb has all the physical attributes to know how to breath, look with the eyes, hear. Certain activities like walking, talking, etc are learned by process. Like how a child when putting his hands over a fire gets burnt(learns not to do it again).

Man does things in his own free will as he is led by his five senses(taste, touch, vision, etc) and his desire(immoral expectations), Anger, Jealousy, Treachery, Apathy, etc he gets caught up in a web of hurt of his own self. Its God's way of saying what we are doing is wrong.

As the plough tills the soil deep, the taller and richer the plant yield is. More the pressure is, better the quality of Diamond. God tests us in our life, to make sure our spiritual qualities are strong and we are tenacious, disciplined, persistent in being good people. Punishment is when we do things against the law of nature, if you are too greedy, you will never be happy in your life. That by itself is a state of Hell in your wonderful life you have been blessed by God in 'present'. There are temptations around in us to test our integrity.

At the sametime, manmade punishments like abuse, killing, genocide are atrocious acts of man, which should be dealth with rules to curb such act in future.

Hope this helps. Be Blessed. Enjoy a safe, strong, healthy, enough wealth, peaceful, wise, loving, and prosperous life.

Answer 6

God does not mircomanage our lives. He offers us choices. We are not punished for mistakes but we do have to face the consequenses of our actions. If the action is good the consequences are good. If the action is bad, the consequences are bad.

Answer 7

If we don't follow the plans that GOD has for us then our sins will have consequences

Answer 8

he has plans but it is up to us to follow them he does not control our lives just happens to know what we will do.

Answer 9

it might that not a lot of people know who god is. i mean god is a word. a living word. but no-body seems to know his name. They just say jesus. And to know him, is to know his way. they say the pathway and the gates to hell is wide, but the pathway to the kingdom of god is narrow...hmmm!

Answer 10

Your life is your own, your acts yours, and God's punishment shall fit the crime if any.

See these pages:
http://bythebible.page.tl/Judgment-of-Christians.htm
http://bythebible.page.tl/God%5C-h-s-Payback.htm
http://bythebible.page.tl/Predestination-Debunked.htm

Answer 11

Because doing bad deeds comes from our free will.