Carrots, Sticks and Being Loved
We live in a world of perpetual rewards and punishments. A "carrot and stick" reality makes sure that anything of value is earned, not just given away. The spiritual problem with this is God does not seem to buy it. In his baptism, the heavens declare, "You are my beloved. With you I am well pleased." The odd thing is, Jesus hasn’t done anything before he is baptized. He has not earned the title or the affirmation spoken by the Divine Voice. What is up with that?