God Does Not Take Revenge On People (But Sin)

[Tim B]

New International Version (NIV)
Leviticus 19:17

17 " 'Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.

Leviticus 19:18
Listen to this passage

18 " 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

1 Peter 3:9

9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

It appears that God does not take revenge on man, but vengeance (if you could call it that) on our sin:

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
Romans 1:18

18for revealed is the wrath of God from heaven upon all impiety and unrighteousness of men, holding down the truth in unrighteousness.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

Psalm 99:8

8O Jehovah, our God, Thou hast afflicted them, A God forgiving Thou hast been to them, And taking vengeance on their actions.

Pretty cool, huh?  :bigGrin:

Thus, it would seem to me, that any punishment is for a blessing, that is, remedial for the "sinner," but destructive for their sin.

Also, for any passages that might suggest that wrath is upon a man, I think it should be looked at like this:
Man, metaphorically, can be looked at as a jar filled with water (that is, sin, in this case). To evaporate the water, God pours out the heat of the sun (his wrath) upon the jar, which, in turn, evaporates the water. We, as the jars, might feel the "heat" as it is poured out "on" us, but I think it's for our benefit.

Do you guys have any other good passages like these, or thoughts?

[Sage]

Also, for any passages that might suggest that wrath is upon a man, I think it should be looked at like this:
Man, metaphorically, can be looked at as a jar filled with water (that is, sin, in this case). To evaporate the water, God pours out the heat of the sun (his wrath) upon the jar, which, in turn, evaporates the water. We, as the jars, might feel the "heat" as it is poured out "on" us, but I think it's for our benefit.

Do you guys have any other good passages like these, or thoughts?

Instead of using the analogy of the heat of the sun, use the verses that say our God is a consuming fire. Saying God heats us up (the jar) with his wrath (or the consuming fire) to evaporate the sin. It may get uncomfortable for some time, when we break down crying out for him. But in the end, our sins are burned away by the consuming fire. A person, who has not found christ in their lives, is just a jar that has jumped off the stove.

But beautiful analogy. I can't wait to use it sometime  :bigGrin:

[Tim B]

Also, for any passages that might suggest that wrath is upon a man, I think it should be looked at like this:
Man, metaphorically, can be looked at as a jar filled with water (that is, sin, in this case). To evaporate the water, God pours out the heat of the sun (his wrath) upon the jar, which, in turn, evaporates the water. We, as the jars, might feel the "heat" as it is poured out "on" us, but I think it's for our benefit.

Do you guys have any other good passages like these, or thoughts?

Instead of using the analogy of the heat of the sun, use the verses that say our God is a consuming fire. Saying God heats us up (the jar) with his wrath (or the consuming fire) to evaporate the sin. It may get uncomfortable for some time, when we break down crying out for him. But in the end, our sins are burned away by the consuming fire. A person, who has not found christ in their lives, is just a jar that has jumped off the stove.

But beautiful analogy. I can't wait to use it sometime  :bigGrin:

I didn't think of the consuming fire part. Probably cause I think of the jar melting too. lol But good thoughts, and I love the last line.  :laughing7:

Thanks for the complement too, glad you liked it.  :bigGrin: