The infliction of civil punishment symbolized the fact that the inevitable result of sin is capital punishment not emotional anguish ending in death.

PS - Turning the other cheek has its place and time, but so does retributive justice. In judgment, Jesus will not turn the other cheek. Instead, He will execute justice.

you might like Christian Maturity: The Seven Stages of Moral Development.

i personally think i was far below stage 1 when i started out. stage 7 and beyond is a beautiful goal, in keeping with this topic.

if i may add to that, without fearing any kind of punishment, nor for eternal reward.

i would do it even if there were no future life because it is the most satisfying way to live.

Jean de Joinville tells a famous incident about a woman who carried in one hand a chafing dish of fire, and in the other a phial of water, that she might burn heaven and quench hell, lest in future any man should serve God merely for hope of the one or fear of the other.

This is interesting, but I'm not sure I would serve God if there was no heaven. And I'm not speaking about mansions or anything like that. I'm speaking about Christ, for Christ is heaven. If I had no hope of ever being with Him, I think it wouldn't be worth it to continue living.

Amen!

i would because i know what sin is.

but i dont think your two thoughts go together. serving God is one thing.

living without Christ is another.

did you ever notice how little effect "retributive" judgment had on the israelites? this is just after the earth opened up and swallowed korah, etc., and after the 250 were "consumed".
Num 16:41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.

one would think that would have a lasting impression for at least a week, but that is how sin is. it blinds and deceives us.

I, too, know what sin is. But what I mean is that if this earthly life was all there is, I would have put an end to it long ago.

have you also noticed that it is the cross that we will be studying for endless ages, not "retributive justice"?

Both the redeemed and the unfallen beings will find in the cross of Christ their science and their song.

It will be seen that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love.

In the light from Calvary it will be seen that the law of self-renouncing love is the law of life for earth and heaven;

that the love which "seeketh not her own" has its source in the heart of God;

and that in the meek and lowly One is manifested the character of Him who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto. {DA 19.2}

according to this, God, the Father, is just like Jesus, meek and lowly.