Carrots & Sticks

The other day I had the pleasure of catching up with an old friend I had fallen out of touch with. We were discussing something that God had been doing in my life that was not only good for me, but also very pleasant. My friend, although not a believer, noted that dynamic.

Without thinking about it, I heard my self responding that “God usually leads with a carrot instead of a stick.” Later that day I started thinking about that phrase and realized that, in spite of my self, I had stumbled onto something. Scripture repeatedly illustrates how God prefers to use love, rather than punishment, to move us from destructive to productive behavior.

Let’s start in Proverbs. In Proverbs 8 lady wisdom addresses the simple and foolish. Rather than scolding them, she offers fellowship and a rich meal. Proverbs 8:1-11,  Proverbs 8:32-34, Proverbs 9:1-6

We see the same thing in Isaiah 55 and Isaiah 58:6-12. God  responds to those who reject  or misunderstand Him with loving invitation instead of punishment.

That continues in the New Testament. In Luke 15 Jesus uses multiple parables to explain that God lovingly reaches out to those who are off track. In Acts 9:1-19 Jesus reaches out in love to correct one who had been actively opposing Him and hurting His followers. In Revelation 3:14-23 Jesus offers His fellowship as an incentive for errant followers to correct their behavior. See particularly Revelation 3:20.  

That’s not to say that those who refuse God’s graceful response to sin are not eventually punished; scripture contains plenty of examples of that too. But that only happens after those folks reject His efforts to attract them into what is best for them (and others). God always leads with the carrot, and only brings out the stick if He has to.

Jeremiah 8:1-11

 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” God calls to us & wants to reveal his will to us, but we have to make affirmative efforts & follow God’s directions, to learn what He wants us to know. 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4 The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. God sometimes speaks by example, in figurative ways. Indeed, Jesus did this extensively through His parables.

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6 Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. God has ultimate control, authority; we must adhere to His will. 7 At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8 but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. We can turn from our errant ways, back to God and His will, even if we have gravely sinned. 9 And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10 but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it. 11 Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the Lord: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

John 15:12-17

Jesus said to his disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”

How does Jesus love?

Practically—His healing & providing miracles

Patiently—He continues to love disciples when we don’t “get it,” when we mess up

Sacrificially—Coming here in the first place, His passion

Actively—He seeks out folks to love

Correctively—He corrects & teaches disciples when we need it

Faithfully—He never quits loving

A good confession is like restarting your computer

A good confession seems to be a lot like restarting a computer. It cleans the bits of dysfunction in our lives that slow or block our fruitfulness, freeing us to more effectively do what God called us to.