17 Dec '14 05:05>2 edits
Originally posted by divegeester
Yes I think there is "something wrong" with finding your ability to forgive fortified by the knowledge that the forgivee will be burning in eternal agony for all eternity. That you cannot see what is wrong with this mindset exposes the chasm between our perspectives.
I am only concerned that there be a "chasm" between the exhortation of Christ and my obedience, by His empowering grace, to that charge.
That's the discrepancy that I'm more concerned with. He said love your enemies and pray for those who despitefully use you.
"Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy." (Matt. 5:7)
I know that even if persecuted unfairly, before the judgement seat of Christ, before the bema seat of His judgment of CHRISTIANS, I will still require mercy.
To forgive by the power of God conforms one to the image of Christ. And to be conformed to the image of Christ is an important part of God's eternal purpose.
Paul told the Thessalonians to "rest". You know it is hard to "rest" when you have anger and vengeance seething in your heart. And Paul said to "rest" in relation to terrible opposers of the faith upon whom God would take vengeance.
"Since it is just with God to repay with affliction those afflicting you, and to you who are being afflicted, REST WITH US at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of His power, in flaming fire,
Rendering vengeance to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
They will pat the penalty of eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His strength when He comes to be glorified in His saints and to be marveled at in all those who have believed ..." (Second Thess. 1:6-10a)
Rest is not keep a grudge.
Rest is not contemplating revenge.
Rest is leaving all vindication to God.
Rest is even praying that as God was merciful and opened my eyes He would also have mercy to open the eyes of others.
The best understanding there of "the penalty of eternal destruction" I think has to be the lake of fire. Paul speaks of "the righteous judgment of God" (v.5) . Paul speaks that the persecuted "rest" .
So only any "chasm" between the healthy teaching of the New Testament and my living, is what concerns me as being serious.
The revelation of the Lord Jesus in this instance is "with the angels of His power, in flaming fire." The flaming fire must be not for the destruction of being, but the eternal destruction of well being.