“We should have confidence on the day of judgement”
Posted by Alex Caughey on July 9, 2019, 7:36 pm
Biblical reference:
1 Corinthians 4
3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
Theologians professional, and amateur are well recognised when attempting to speculate on God's final judgement, and mercy the result of their understandings. I do not pretend to compete with their opinions. Rugby players are also entitled to provide us with their suppositions. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God ~ Romans 3:23
There is the matter of harmonising the existence of Hell with God's infinite mercy or omnibenevolence that scripture cites with some enthusiasm as if to say, that none is excluded from God's mercy. “Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” ~ Luke 6:36
Each of us brings to this discussion our own understandings, or interpretations that perhaps speak more of who we are, rather than who God is.
9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him ~ Daniel 9
Alex, your comment about Rugby players being entitled to their suppositions indicates that everyone here is entitled to his suppositions. This is reinforced by your “Each of us brings to this discussion our own understandings, or interpretations …” While that might be true, it doesn’t mean that everyone’s suppositions, understandings and interpretations are correct. That is the Protestant concept of private interpretation. Conflicting views cannot all be right. There is one truth even if it is uncomfortable. Private interpretations can be made comforting, but is that a reasonable way of preparing for Judgment?
Incidentally, your heading appears to be a quotation. If so, where from?
Re: Should we?
Posted by Alex Caughey on July 9, 2019, 10:49 pm, in reply to "Should we?"
Well, John, no human person is in a position to assume the position of God when deciding how Our Father will respond to the actions of any one human person.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, becausefear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
end quote
Ones presumption is a matter of personal interpretation driven by what ever we believe.
God's judgement, and mercy are His to make.
Our Father disciplines us that we may live our life in fulfilment of His plan for our well being.
“Whom the Lord loves He chastens.” - Hebrews 12:6
John, I invite you to read this address by JP11, that perhaps best sums up my understandings:
3. The images of hell that Sacred Scripture presents to us must be correctly interpreted. They show the complete frustration and emptiness of life without God. Rather than a place, hell indicates the state of those who freely and definitively separate themselves from God, the source of all life and joy. This is how the Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes the truths of faith on this subject: “To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God’s merciful love means remaining separated from him for ever by our own free choice. This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called ‘hell’” (n. 1033).
end quote
We also understand that God's love, and mercy is His divine right when forgiving all whose choices have been self destructive.
“The mercy of God, my son, is infinitely greater than your malice.” ~ Padre Pio