The Rod.

My grandfather's generation lived by the quote: "Those who spare the rod hate their children."  Proverbs 13:24 (NRSV)

This was paraphrased as: "Spare the rod and spoil the child."

But this is to instruct with violence and fear.

But there is no evidence that God punishes wrong-doing.

"Why do the wicked live on, reach old age, and grow mighty in power?

Their houses are safe from fear, and no rod of God is upon them."  Job 21:7,9 (NRSV)

Jesus said: "'Do not resist an evildoer.  But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.'"  Matthew 5:39 (NRSV)

God's way is the way of non-violent Love.

And we should be the same.

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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