We are not to regard God as waiting to punish the sinner for his sin. The sinner brings the 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 1110.5}

Vi skal ikke se Gud som den der venter på at straffe syndere for hans synd. Synderen bringer straf over sig selv. Hans egne handlinger starter en række forhold der bringer det visselige resultat. Enhver overtrædelseshandling der falder tilbage på synderen, virker en karakterændring i ham, og gør det nemmere for ham at overtræde igen. Ved at vælge at synde, adskiller mennesker sig selv fra Gud, afskærer sig selv fra velsignelsens kanal, og det visselige resultat er fordærv og død.