I'm not a biblical scholar so the comments below are just my opinions.
If it hasn't happened yet, there will be a time when we’ll hurt someone terribly by what we do and/or say. It's during these moments when we ask forgiveness even though we don't deserve it and wonder if we’ll be shown mercy. So, from a judgement perspective we’re guilty but hoping this burden will be lifted from us.
The Bible is filled with advice when it comes to issues like forgiveness, mercy, and judging other people. The words of wisdom written thousands of years ago are completely applicable to our lives today. First, we should always remember: "Judge not lest you be judged." God says the same way we judge other people will be applied to us when we’re judged in heaven. I find this a scary thought because I sometimes don’t apply the same measures when comparing what I did to someone else and how mad and hurt I get when someone offends me. We will fall far short of what God expects from us because of our “free will,” choices and we will inevitably ask for forgiveness and mercy from him.
Christians believe that Jesus washes away our sins so we can enter heaven, but many people also believe that we don't get a free pass for our bad behaviors. In other words, we can't just get away with the same sins repeatedly, without truly repenting (which means to turn away from the sin) and think that there will be no repercussions because Jesus has us covered. For example, if your son took money out of your wallet and you caught him, of course you’d end up forgiving him at some point because that’s what parents do. Our hope is that our child feels remorseful and promises not to do it again; but what if he continued to do it? Even as a loving parent, enough would be enough and you’d dole out very harsh punishment of some sort. Not only to correct the behavior but also to punish him because that’s the just and righteous thing to do. Forgiving someone for what they did is a Christian thing to do, but so is punishment when warranted.
Many people believe that in one way or another we’ll have a “come to Jesus moment,” that will have us on our knees begging for mercy. I don’t have a clue what this entails. I would be ashamed beyond imagination if I were to go to heaven and they played a movie of my life for everyone to see of all the times I sinned in one way or another. Is that a punishment that is right and just? I don’t know, but it would be brutal. For me, believing that I won’t get a free pass and walk right through the pearly gates without repercussions of some sort, helps me make better decisions in my life. I need to worry about the choices I make. I need to worry that there won’t only be potential consequences on earth for my actions, but that I face punishment from God as well. God is too righteous to let me get away with anything and everything.
If it hasn't happened yet, there will be a time when we’ll hurt someone terribly by what we do and/or say. It's during these moments when we ask forgiveness even though we don't deserve it and wonder if we’ll be shown mercy. So, from a judgement perspective we’re guilty but hoping this burden will be lifted from us.
The Bible is filled with advice when it comes to issues like forgiveness, mercy, and judging other people. The words of wisdom written thousands of years ago are completely applicable to our lives today. First, we should always remember: "Judge not lest you be judged." God says the same way we judge other people will be applied to us when we’re judged in heaven. I find this a scary thought because I sometimes don’t apply the same measures when comparing what I did to someone else and how mad and hurt I get when someone offends me. We will fall far short of what God expects from us because of our “free will,” choices and we will inevitably ask for forgiveness and mercy from him.
Christians believe that Jesus washes away our sins so we can enter heaven, but many people also believe that we don't get a free pass for our bad behaviors. In other words, we can't just get away with the same sins repeatedly, without truly repenting (which means to turn away from the sin) and think that there will be no repercussions because Jesus has us covered. For example, if your son took money out of your wallet and you caught him, of course you’d end up forgiving him at some point because that’s what parents do. Our hope is that our child feels remorseful and promises not to do it again; but what if he continued to do it? Even as a loving parent, enough would be enough and you’d dole out very harsh punishment of some sort. Not only to correct the behavior but also to punish him because that’s the just and righteous thing to do. Forgiving someone for what they did is a Christian thing to do, but so is punishment when warranted.
Many people believe that in one way or another we’ll have a “come to Jesus moment,” that will have us on our knees begging for mercy. I don’t have a clue what this entails. I would be ashamed beyond imagination if I were to go to heaven and they played a movie of my life for everyone to see of all the times I sinned in one way or another. Is that a punishment that is right and just? I don’t know, but it would be brutal. For me, believing that I won’t get a free pass and walk right through the pearly gates without repercussions of some sort, helps me make better decisions in my life. I need to worry about the choices I make. I need to worry that there won’t only be potential consequences on earth for my actions, but that I face punishment from God as well. God is too righteous to let me get away with anything and everything.
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