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. {FLB 84.7}

Vi skal ikke se Gud som Ham der venter på at straffe synderen for sin synd. Synderen bringer straf over sig selv. Hans egne handlinger starter en række forhold som giver det visselige resultat. Enhver overtrædelse indvirker på synderen, og udvirker en karakterforandring i ham, og gør det nemmere for ham at overtræde igen. Ved at vælge synden, adskiller menneskene sig selv fra Gud, afskærer sig selv fra velsignelsens kanal, og det visselige resultat er ruin og død.