We are not to regard God as waiting to punish the sinner for his sin. The sinner brings punishment upon himself. His own actions start a train of circumstances that bring the sure result. Every act of transgression reacts upon the sinner, works in him a change of character, and makes it more easy for him to transgress again. By choosing to sin, men separate themselves from God, cut themselves off from the channel of blessing, and the sure result is ruin and death.{6BC 1085.6}

Vi skal ikke betragte Gud som den der venter på at straffe synderen for sin synd. Synderen pådrager sig selv straf. Hans egne handlinger begynder en række omstændigheder som giver det sikre resultat. Enhver overtrædelseshandling indvirker på synder, gør en karakterforandring hos ham, og gør det nemmere for ham at overtræde igen. Ved at vælge synd, adskiller mennesker sig fra Gud, afskærer sig selv velsignelsens kanal, og det sikre resultat er fordærv og død.