So show me where God said I will use calamity and death to teach us. If need be does not apply.
Jim, come on now! How many Scriptures do you require my brother?
The Bible tells us that just as human fathers lovingly discipline their children, so God disciplines all who belong to Him:
Heb. 12:5-6....
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives”.
In fact, the Bible goes even further by saying that if God does not discipline us then we are not truly His children.
Heb 12:8........ “God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Psalms 110:67, 71, 75..........
“before I was afflicted, I went astray but now I keep Your word… it is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your word…
in faithfulness You have afflicted me” .
Sometimes our sin may not even be something that the world considers to be bad. It may be placing something or someone above God which is idolatry. But whatever the sin, God has many ways to discipline us such as sickness, famine, failure, disasters, the government, friends, neighbors, relatives, co-workers, unjust treatment, etc. In the Old Testament, God sometimes used even wicked nations to punish Israel when they rebelled against Him.
Sometimes our suffering flows as a direct consequence of our own sin and at other times God may bring it indirectly.