Deferred Punishment

 We have a problem with sin in this world. It is rampant all around us. We see it in so many ways. It is getting worse and worse in the sense that the sins are of greater magnitude than before, so they effect more people. Laws are passed to declare that many of these sins are crimes. However, the authorities have tried all kinds of things to stop the crimes from being committed, but they are fighting a losing battle. They can't find a punishment that will eliminate sins and crimes. 

However, the Bible gives us a great insight into why the punishments are not being effective and to why the sins are spreading. (Ecclesiastes 8:11) It says that because the sentence against the evil work is not executed speedily, the hearts of people are fully set in them to do evil. In other words, if the punishment doesn't come quickly after the sin or crime, people believe they can get away with it, and they are emboldened to commit more sins and crimes.

This principle has a lot of applications for us today. Parents need to always keep this in mind with their children. When a child misbehaves, the parent needs to act swiftly to apply the right punishment for the offense. Then, the punishment will deter the child from doing it again. If not, the child will try to get away with more and more.

In our justice system we should have trials quickly and go ahead and impose a sentence as quickly as possible and still give due process to the person who has been charged. When a person can commit a crime, and it takes 5 or 10 years to adjudicate the case, there is time for the person to commit more crimes, and the punishment will not do as much good when it comes. Our society could benefit a lot by doing what the Bible says to do in this area and many other areas.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Ecclesiastes 9-11.