Biblical Answer

Why am I being punished for being a good person?

The idea of punishment for being a good person is a misunderstanding of the nature of morality and the Christian concept of sin. In Christianity, morality is not based on the idea of being good for goodness' sake, but rather on the recognition of our sin and need for forgiveness through Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "There is no one who does good, not even one" (Psalm 14:1-3). This means that even the best of our deeds are tainted by sin and cannot earn us salvation or forgiveness.

Furthermore, the idea of punishment implies that we are being condemned for our sins, rather than being forgiven for them. In Christianity, God does not punish us for our sins, but rather, He offers us forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). This means that our good deeds, while they may be commendable, cannot earn us salvation or forgiveness. Instead, we must recognize our sin and receive forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.

The question of why we should be moral if it doesn't always pay is a common one. However, the Christian perspective is that morality is not about being rewarded or punished in this life, but about living a life that reflects our love and gratitude for God. The Bible says, "Love each other as I have loved you" (John 15:12). This means that our motivation for being moral should not be to gain rewards or avoid punishment, but rather to love and serve God and others. By living a life of morality and obedience to God, we demonstrate our love for Him and our desire to please Him, even if it doesn't always pay in this life.