Can Messages of the Judgment of America Mature Us? Judgment is a real thing but many struggle to understand it in the right context.

Judgment can never be understood without seeing through the filter of the Fathers Love.

Warning
There are many books saying, “All the signs are there, America is under judgment.” I struggle with this judgment idea but I certainly believe sowing and reaping is a real thing. However, here’s an important question. Does God cause it or allow it? Some might argue that it doesn’t matter. Yet, it comes down to motive. A wounded father punishes his children in anger. A loving father knows it is not always wise to fight his children’s battles for them. For children to come into all they were created for, they have to face consequences and mature. Understanding God’s heart as it relates to us in discipline is integral to how well we mature in Him.

So many of these books say or imply God is angry with America. However, to say God’s angry is to imply our sin somehow caught Him by surprise; presuming He didn’t know, before ever creating the heavens and the earth, that we would be exactly at this spot in this place and time. If God has “had enough,” it suggests He is triggered, punishing us in anger rather than disciplining us in love. It implies His feelings are hurt, that He’s somehow insecure with the fact that He is all powerful.

The message, “You better tighten up!” which most all the books and prophets intone states that somehow enough sober fear will finally mature us.

Roots to this View of God
Many people battle a fear they aren’t doing “enough” and so judgment will come. Many of us grew up that way. I could inadvertently say the wrong thing and get backhanded by my dad. That imparts shame, a sense of abandonment, no one there to protect me. Or a simpler example: I get a bad grade on a test and mom gives me “the look.” This results in me making conclusions in my heart such as, “I’d better watch out or the hammer will fall.”

Consider the sins of China or Brazil. A case could easily be made that their sins far exceed the US and yet both those countries are prospering. We run to judgment for fear of “dad’s backhand,” yet God’s nature is not such nor His work on the earth so easily summarized.

It is Only Love That Matures
Some say we need a wake-up call. That is certainly better than the view God is pouring out His vengeance. However, it still implies a mild anger.

Picture a child coloring on the wall. Mom walks up with a swift swat to the butt – a wake-up call. Now contrast that to mom sitting down with the child lovingly explaining, “I’ve spoken with you about drawing on the wall and said you would get a spanking the next time you did that,” then proceeds to give the spanking. The discipline is done in love and not anger, because mom’s not triggered. She isn’t battling rejection because her two-year old just won’t obey her! The discipline is totally done with the child’s best interest in mind.

Of course there are consequences to our actions, however, God’s heart is always love. It’s always that He “would have all men to be saved,” (1 Tim.2:4). Seeing God’s heart is vital. It is always to the end that we see His love. It is love that matures us, not fear. Mature love casts out fear (1 Jn.4:18).