PROVERBS 11:31
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
We see that this verse starts with behold, this means that we need to pay attention. This is why I chose this verse. The righteous is us or Christians who are sold out to JESUS!! The word recompensed means chastening or punishment. Here is another verse that tears up all that feel good preaching . See GOD will sometimes take a rod to our backside for sin that we have done. It is not that we are not saved but by being saved we have become his children and when we get out of line GOD will chasten us because he loves us. The LORD will not indulge HIS children when they are in sin, parents will indulge their children, we even look over their sin when we should reprove them and sometimes they need a rod across their backside. When my son was 5 and older the doctor told us he had ADD and wanted to put him on Riddling I told them no way I never beat the boy but he does not have ADD today. Now he is 16 and thinks he knows it all, might have to use that rod again hope not. Bottom line is that the LORD will chasten us when needed and the verse says here on earth, so the prosperity preachers missed this verse or something. We see it throughout the Bible look at Moses, David, Eli, Peter, and many more he does it so we are not condemned and HE loves us.
2Sam 7:14-15 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
If we would judge ourselves then we would not be judged, sometimes we just are proud and puffed up so The LORD will break out the rod again and have us humble ourselves to HIM, would it not be better to just judge ourselves.
1Cor 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1Cor 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Cor 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
If GOD will chasten us and we are his children and HE loves us HOW MUCH MORE will he punish the wicked and sinners.
1Peter 4:17-18 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
It is good to be SAVED hopefully others will surrender to JESUS before that judgment!! Pray for the lost world that they would seek GOD and come to know JESUS.