It's almost stupid to say that we won't endure punishment. Honestly I know I will suffer punishment. Why? Because of my stubborn fearful ways. When Jesus gives me that little nudge to be funny I declined the offer. When he wants me to scream in a grocery store GOD BLESS EVERYONE HERE AND I LOVE EVERYONE! I decline...when I get and hear his nudge to go to a group or somewhere I feel I would help someone else I decline. Basically I decline what Jesus tells me and offers me out of fear of judgement...but you see I'm the one suffering because I decline...I'm already in punishment..but I imagine the punishment I will receive in the afterlife will be as you say age-long. I will be purified as you say. How long will it take for this to happen? Well being as stubborn and fearful as I am I imagine it will be at least 240 years if not longer..am I looking forward to punishment? No...but am I going to make myself vulnerable and get hurt no I won't.. So I guess mainstream Christians would say I'm letting the devil override me blah blah blah....the point of my being was to b in this situation right here right now. Don't tell me to face my fears or scream in a grocery store or talk to Jesus.....I'm here because I'm here..nothing more nothing less. Thank you god bless you all.
Jesus died with the words, "Forgive them father, they dontkno what they are doing."
God loves you Adam. He sent His Son for you, and He will send His Spirit to help you grow in grace.
No one can, of their own selves, please God.
It is all about grace- if you believe in God and in Jesus, believe that He loves you, and comfort yourself with thoughts of faith and trusting that He will forgive and encourage and strengthen you.
It may take some time, but God is faithful, only believe.
Quote from: Adam harris on July 20, 2015, 05:22:51 AM
It's almost stupid to say that we won't endure punishment. Honestly I know I will suffer punishment. Why? Because of my stubborn fearful ways.
Others will tell you that you are wrong. I'll write something else....
Say you are right. You get punished. But you still don't know how long and how severe.
You seem to assume endless torture. But it just as well could be Jesus tickling your feet with a feather for an hour :laugh:
Luke 12:48 but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.
That verse is about correction, punishment if you like. Notice the words few and more. Not endless and even more endless. The max number was 40. But (almost) never was given.
2Cor 11:24 From the Jews five times I received forty save one.
Deut 25:3 Up to forty lashes may he smite him; he shall not add more, lest, if he should add to his smiting many smitings over these, your brother be dishonored in your eyes.
Of course you could assume that your lashes will be 39x a billion years. While I have reason to believe it will be less that a 1000 year (faaaaaar less) it at least shows it ends. God would fail if His correction never reaches the state of being sufficiently corrected.
Not only a maximum is set, exceeding that maximum is a sin. Elsewhere it even states than when 40 is exceeded and the person dies, the one hitting is murderer which will be killed himself.
While many agree with the plain verses above they will tell you that's only during this life. When you are dead there is no way back....
http://38.99.252.205/forum/bible-verses-used-to-assert-not-all-will-be-saved/hebrews-927-after-death-comes-judgement/msg122137/#msg122137 (http://38.99.252.205/forum/bible-verses-used-to-assert-not-all-will-be-saved/hebrews-927-after-death-comes-judgement/msg122137/#msg122137)
Also keep in mind that everyone will be judged. Judging can be positive. Judging is separating good from bad.
In Psalms David asked God to judge him several times. He surely didn't beg to be cast into hell.
8 Yahweh, He shall adjudicate the peoples; Judge me, O Yahweh, according to my righteousness, And according to my integrity, O Supreme.
Ps 26:1 Judge me, O Yahweh, for I have walked in my integrity, And I have trusted in Yahweh; I shall not totter."
24 Judge me according to Your righteousness, O Yahweh my Elohim, And let them not rejoice over me."
Etc
Quote from: eaglesway on July 20, 2015, 09:52:55 PM
Jesus died with the words, "Forgive them father, they dontkno what they are doing."
God loves you Adam. He sent His Son for you, and He will send His Spirit to help you grow in grace.
No one can, of their own selves, please God.
It is all about grace- if you believe in God and in Jesus, believe that He loves you, and comfort yourself with thoughts of faith and trusting that He will forgive and encourage and strenthen you.
It may take some time, but God is faithful, only believe.
So true. WHEN I get thoughts like this that I wrote I just have to remind myself that I'm a child of God..I've been saved..I've repented of my old ways and am always in the process repentance. Before I would try to take the evil thoughts on my own but I learned from the bible were not supposed to try and suppress them. We are suppose to just let it happen because we are flesh..I've also asked god to make my heart tender again a heart of flesh not of stone and wow does god answer fast...I feel sadness again I feel my heart again I feel love and pure and true. He answered my prayer overnight. Know Jesus..talk to Jesus..build a relationship with Jesus..it's not difficult. Everyone begins and builds there relationship with Jesus different but as long as you try you ARE doing right. God bless everyone. Continue to seek Jesus. Continue to seek your heart and drop that steel and stone covering it. Ask God to give you a new heart. A heart of. Flesh. It will feel overwhelming at first but take baby steps . Amen god bless everyone.