Just experienced conviction...

[misszoolander]

So I was just thinking about Bill Weise and his Book "23 minutes in hell" and my thoughts turned suddenly to him burning in hell for spreading a false lie.

:doh: Ugh. I took joy in it, picturing him burning up and being held accountable for what he has done. I have to say immediately I felt ashamed. To make things clear I do not believe in eternal hell fire, and I am still unsure of why I even had joy for a second at the picture of this man "paying" for what he has done. I felt sick immediately afterwards, I knew how wrong these thoughts were, even though it was just for a second, I knew I had to ask Jesus for strength to help me with these "vengeance" mind thoughts.

This conviction which I believe came from God led me to this question...

"Do traditional Christians believe it is wrong to imagine and take comfort in the thought of their enemies burning in hell forever?"

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100602122656AA6JNYF

The above link shows that most do not wish eternal hell on anyone! In reality I think most people are guilty of thinking this at least once. I pictured my high school bullies in hell, and it made me feel better, i'm sure I am not the only one!

So this led me to another question ...

"Why does our conscious tell us that we must not have joy in seeing our enemies in eternal hell fire, but rather have compassion for them?  And most importantly if Gods love is stronger than our own and never failing why would he submit himself to grieving for eternity by letting there be an eternal hell? Surely our conscious is not greater than Gods compassion, grace and mercy"

It seems to me that the love of eternal hell doctrine is actually a love/hate relationship. Traditionalists love it when it suits them, but when they feel their conscious rest on it they quickly shift and skim their minds to something else. Are they missing Gods conviction?

Thankfully God has shown me his grace, and though I stumble through this life and wrestle with my pride, I am thankful for his convictions, for it is his convictions that lead me closer to the truth, and to him.

[eaglesway]

Beautiful post, moving argument, touching sentiment- Lord help us all.

[ded2daworld]

Thanks missZ. Your post made me think and I'm not used to it anymore.
I confess that a special hatred wells up in me when I hear of a pedophile on the news.
I often wonder why God allows this to even go on. Children are so special to Jesus.
Then I realize that if God removed every sinner from the face of the earth -
none of us would be here.

[misszoolander]

I have had those thoughts too Ded,
When I think of innocent children being subjected to... I can't even type it! How my heart screams out for justice! Make them pay!!

I however have to take a breath, and focus on God. How it must grieve God when these things happen, and this is GOD! Who is spotless, holy and without sin. If it can grieve me and make me angry (me, a mere human being) imagine how it grieves God! But this also gives us a glimpse of Gods grace, overwhelming compassion and ever enduring love. He loves that paedophile just as much as the abused child.

I feel as if his conviction of me taking a seconds joy of picturing Bill Weise burning in hell was reminding me that I am just as equal as Bill in his eyes, that Bill writing that book and spreading his message to millions is no different to me taking joy in one second of the thought of him in eternal torture. I am just as equal as Bill, God loves me just as much as Bill, and there will be a time where me and Bill will equally stand side by side and be face to face with the Lord forever. This is the Lords grace, this is his justice, one that even today I struggle with because of my heart of vengeance.

[ded2daworld]

I hear you missZ :thumbsup:

[eaglesway]

God gets angry too, don't let anyone tell ya different. He just directs His anger in ways that will lead eventually to reformation- but it is genuine anger.

"If anyone cause one of these little ones of mine to stumble it would be better for Him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea."

[misszoolander]

 :iagree: Yes I fully do not doubt God's anger, God is justified in his anger.

However I believe we as humans need to be careful with our anger, as our anger unlike Gods can lead to hate.

If we hold onto our anger, it can manifest into something ugly... :eek:

[eaglesway]

Absolutely tru missz

[ded2daworld]

Isn't anger a symptom of not trusting God?
Something didn't happen the way you think it should,
someone said or did something that you don't think they should?
When something is taken from us we act like what we had was ours and not God's on loan? :2c:

[eaglesway]

I think anger can be, and often does flow out of not trusting. However, I see that Jesus was at times angry, and I don't think not trusting God was at the source of it.

Anger in itself is not 'bad" or "evil".

I think it is an emotion that should be traced back to its source so one can see who they are and why they feel it, yielding many possible resolutions.

[ded2daworld]

Oh yeah angry itself is not sin.
"Don't let the sun go down on your anger"
Do not stay angry.

I think Jesus was the only one entitled to angry in the form of "righteous indignation" since ultimately all sins are committed against God.