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During today's conversation on Back Porch Theology, we're wrapping up a three-part series on Zephaniah that we titled Theology of Compassionate Consequences.

It may initially sound like an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms to

pair the words compassionate and consequences together, kind of like jumbo shrimp, or act naturally,

or climb down, begs the question, if God really is unconditionally loving, then why do we have to sever consequences

at all? However, a heavenly father who chooses not to discipline his children would actually be

lacking in both compassion and wisdom, because a God who only serves to grant our wishes is kind of like an overly

indulgent parent who lets their child eat all the candy they want, stay up as late as they

want, and never accept responsibility or obey authority. Pretty soon that kid grows up into an adult

with the emotional capacity of a toddler with no friends,

no job, and no respect for themselves or others. Worse still, that spoiled rotten child will

surely end up flattened like a pancake on the highway of life because they didn't know they had

to look both ways before crossing the proverbial road. Loving parents establish safe boundaries to protect their kids

and ensure they grow up with passion and purpose.

Here's the deal, y'all.

God's parameters aren't punitive or pejorative.

They are always promissory and protective.

Psalm 165 says it best, I think. His boundary lines for me have fallen

in pleasant places. Allie, Dr. Howard, and I are so happy you've chosen to carve out this time

to hang out on the porch with us. Please grab a cup of coffee. I prefer mine with copious amounts of

cream and your Bible, and then feel

free to lean back and put your feet up. This is a safe place to lean further into the unconditional

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