Greetings… Just my opinion but sometimes, healing from the cruelty inflicted on us can take time. Ultimately, though, our gracious Heavenly Father will work in us to help us do His will and forgive.
Forgive yet punish, what ?
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RandyDawson
Member
True and sometimes people hear teachings falsely claiming we don't have to forgive and such a person that has experienced cruelty will not be forgiven because they refuse to forgive themselves.
God is not mocked, whatever we sow that is what we shall reap (Gal 6:7,8), if we sow unforgiveness we shall reap unforgivness.
Choosing to not forgive directly hinders a person's healing and recovery. Some have the idea if they forgive someone that did them wrong it's letting them get away with it or is somehow being in agreement with what they did. None of that is true and it's tricks the enemy uses to deceive people in to not forgiving so the continue to sow to the flesh and continue to reap corruption.
If one does not forgive... satan has advantage or power over them:
2 Corinthians 2:9-11
For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Hebrews 12:14,15
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled
Davy
Well-Known Member
How we live our life as a Christian can... affect our status with The LORD at His future coming. Make no mistake about that.
Remember the "five foolish virgins" of Matthew 25, and the "unprofitable servant" of Matthew 25?
Luke 12:45-48
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, "My lord delayeth his coming"; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
KJV
A believer on Jesus Christ being cast to the "outer darkness" with the unbelievers at His coming, like Jesus showed with the "unprofitable servant", does not mean they are sent into the lake of fire. The "outer darkness" will be a place outside... the gates of the beloved city on earth, as shown in Revelation 22:14-15. They will stand in judgment throughout Christ's future "thousand years" reign, and be taught their error, as per the Book of Ezekiel.
Remember the "five foolish virgins" of Matthew 25, and the "unprofitable servant" of Matthew 25?
Luke 12:45-48
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, "My lord delayeth his coming"; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
KJV
A believer on Jesus Christ being cast to the "outer darkness" with the unbelievers at His coming, like Jesus showed with the "unprofitable servant", does not mean they are sent into the lake of fire. The "outer darkness" will be a place outside... the gates of the beloved city on earth, as shown in Revelation 22:14-15. They will stand in judgment throughout Christ's future "thousand years" reign, and be taught their error, as per the Book of Ezekiel.
RandyDawson
Member
Is that like works based salvation?
I keep hearing people say God does everything and we do nothing.
Davy
Well-Known Member
Have you not read how Lord Jesus showed in Matthew 25 that He will close the door on the "five foolish virgins" in His parable of the ten virgins? Those five foolish virgins were believers also, waiting on the Bridegroom (Jesus) to come. What exactly did He mean with closing the door on those, were they then destroyed? No.
That then is where one needs to understand what He meant by being cast to the "outer darkness".
Matt 25:26-30
26 His lord answered and said unto him, "Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
KJV
Same thing in Matthew 7 about those who will say, "Lord, Lord..." that prophesied in Jesus' Name, cast out devils in His Name, and did many wonderful works in His Name, but did iniquity.
Matt 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto Me, "Lord, Lord", shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father Which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, "I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity."
KJV
This is why we still need to repent and ask Jesus forgiveness of future sin, so it will be blotted out (See 1 John 1). But some brethren are deceived by devils that have crept into the Church, and are told they need never repent of future sin. That then has led those to not 'watch' their fruit, and thus they will be found having followed iniquity. Our Heavenly Father and His Son cannot be fooled. One who claims they believe on Him yet continues working iniquity will separate that one away from Jesus when He returns in our near future. And that "outer darkness" place is shown to be outside the gates of the future beloved city among the wicked, per Revelation 22:14-15.
Hmmm, how about He directs our foot steps and we follow Christ.
Only those who believe in Him are going to be one of His followers.
Psalm 37 is apropo
22 for such as are blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, but they that are cursed by Him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread.
26 He is ever merciful and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil and do good, and dwell for evermore.
28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved for ever, but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
33 But the Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the Lord and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and lo, he was no more; yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is in the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked and save them, because they trust in Him.
- 1 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations - 1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations - Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations - Philippians 3:17
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark those who so walk, as ye have us for an example.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations - 1 Thessalonians 1:6
And ye became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Ghost,
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations - 1 Thessalonians 2:14
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God in Judea which are in Christ Jesus; for ye also have suffered like things from your own countrymen, even as they have from the Jews,
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations - Hebrews 6:12
that ye be not slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations - 1 Peter 3:13
And who is he that will harm you if ye be followers of that which is good?
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Sons of disobedience are not following Christ or obedient to the gospel.
Peter is an excellent study, not to be ignored
classic.biblegateway.com
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you and peace be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations,
7 that the trial of your faith (being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tested with fire) might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ,
8 whom having not seen, ye love. In Him, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory,
9 receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, and have prophesied of the grace that should come unto you,
11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them had signified when He testified beforehand of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto them it was revealed that they ministered, not unto themselves, but unto us the things which are now reported unto you by those who have preached the Gospel unto you, with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven — things which the angels desire to look into.
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind; be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
14 As obedient children, do not fashion yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance,
15 but as He who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of living,
16 because it is written: “Be ye holy, for I am holy.”
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.
18 For ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, from your vain way of living which ye received by tradition from your fathers,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,
20 who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.
21 By Him ye believe in God, who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently,
23 being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever;
24 for “all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away;
25 but the Word of the Lord endureth for ever.” And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.
Bible Gateway passage: 1 Peter 1 - 21st Century King James Version
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you and...
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you and peace be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations,
7 that the trial of your faith (being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tested with fire) might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ,
8 whom having not seen, ye love. In Him, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory,
9 receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, and have prophesied of the grace that should come unto you,
11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them had signified when He testified beforehand of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto them it was revealed that they ministered, not unto themselves, but unto us the things which are now reported unto you by those who have preached the Gospel unto you, with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven — things which the angels desire to look into.
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind; be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
14 As obedient children, do not fashion yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance,
15 but as He who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of living,
16 because it is written: “Be ye holy, for I am holy.”
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.
18 For ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, from your vain way of living which ye received by tradition from your fathers,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,
20 who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.
21 By Him ye believe in God, who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently,
23 being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever;
24 for “all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away;
25 but the Word of the Lord endureth for ever.” And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.
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