Divine punishment, justice, betrayal and retribution are in view, today. Also, there is more on Christianity as a culture of judgment. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Andrew” (Level 1 with 12 points, a member since January 26, 2014) posted the following:
Does God punish people?
Let's say a man makes fun of a blind man. Would God make the man who made fun of him blind as a punishment.
THE BATTLE AXE: A Culture of Judgment? (03/20/2014)—Christianity may be spoken of as a culture of judgment, yet, it is not a culture of condemnation. For Christian believers, peace is to be an inner condition of ones being wherein all the changes and interactions of their divine substance are in agreement, in balance, are complete, and occur smoothly. Believers are “recruited” (we say, called) to serve as “priests and kings.” It is the peculiar duty of a king to serve as one of the highest authorities in judgment; just as it is a peculiar duty of a priest to make offerings that secure atonement, propitiation for sin, and divine favor. Created beings and living creatures endure by divine prerogative (we say, grace), and none may justify themselves on the basis of their deeds, their intentions, or their service. It is their salvation that they may willingly submit to the Son of the Highest, who is justified by participation in GODhead. Applying their own measures of faith and divine spirit, believers are established as justified in judgment by the Savior’s faithfulness, gratitude, humility, love, obedience, righteousness, and unselfish sacrifice—not their own. There are now those in existence (we say, sinners, unbelievers) who oppose divine law, judgment, and the continuing sovereignty of GOD. Where these can not be altered and saved, demands for universal peace and divine perfection require they absolutely must be destroyed. See Genesis 6: 3, Isaiah 30: 8-15, Jeremiah 29: 19, Galatians 5: 15-26 and Romans 14: 16-18, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. (Hebrews 10: 28-30, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: GOD Enjoys Judgment? (12/19/2013); Miracles are Sacred Events (12/20/2013); Of War and Judgment (10/08/2013); Heart, Brain or Spirit? (10/09/2013); A GOD of Love? (05/07/2013); Commanding the Storm? (05/08/2013); Why So Much Murder? (01/12/2013); Confusion 2013 (01/13/2013); Justice Comes by Love? (10/01/2012); A Daily Revelation? (10/02/2012)
“Andrew”, the best answers for speaking about how GOD operates among mankind all go beyond the simple idea of punishment and reward. Many times we mislabel what we see from GOD. Consider the following:
(1.) Vengeance (we say, justice) is only one goal of divine judgment. Other objectives include balance, permanent change (we say, correction), perfection, purity, revelation (making the righteousness of GOD known), salvation, and sanctification (cleansing, healing, and setting one apart for divine service).
(2.) The Bible does report instances where GOD removed affliction from one person, and leveled that same hardship upon another. When Naaman, a Syrian general, was cured of leprosy, the disease was laid upon Gehazi and all his descendants. Not only did the much trusted servant of Elisha covet the Syrian’s goods, Gehazi demanded payment for healing and rebirth from GOD, hid the merchandise he had been given, and then lied to the prophet about where he had been, and what he had done (see 2nd Kings 5: 1-27, KJV).
There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, thoroughly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) Divine order for the earth is not separated from divine order for heaven. Therefore, unopposed, the violations of divine law committed among created beings and living creatures have power at a cosmic level to damage unseen features of the universe. The operations of GOD are not to express human anger, emotion, and indignation so much as to affirm divinity that is made of spirit substance. Included are such eternal, inseparable, and unchanging aspects of GOD as faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, joy, longsuffering, love, wisdom, and wrath against sin.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (2nd Kings 6: 15-17, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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