Keep in mind that God had Matthew 7:21-23 written to warn us against false prophets and to warn us against ccomplacency. The "christian" world as you called it would be better phrased as the Jewish...as there were none called by the name Christian when Christ spoke those words. God is loving, but He is also the righteous Judge. God will punish those who are in transgression. Again you have to distinguish the difference between chastening and judgement. When God chastens someone, He chasens His Child and puts us on back on the straight and narrow path. In His judgements, He will pass judgement on those unbelievers who are not saved and have not been born again. As Christians we will be safe from this judgement. This wrath, because we are now washed in the blood of Jesus. Our sins have been forgiven, and apart from God we can do nothing. and satan only had part of the statement "you surely shall not die" correct. What he failed, in his arrogance, to understand, was that if we are born again and live under GRACE, then we shall have a work within us that Christ began and we shall want to do God's Will. Before regeneration however, it is impossible to do God's Will and to accept Him as Lord and Savior. Keep in mind that our fleshly bodies shall die...that's what is the only thing that we share with unbelievers. We shall all die. OUr flesh that is. For the believer, we shall enter into eternity and stand before the Almighty in reverence and Awe and be judged...but not have HIs wrath poured upon us. For the unbeliever, the way isn't as pretty. It is in fact the complete opposite. They will be judged at some time in the future and shall suffer the second death...which is eternal seperation from God's presence. Also, you failed to put in your post the other words...why must you be so gloomy doomy silver...these next words would give any Christian hope. Check out the parable of the talents. In the parable we are given an example of good stewardship of God's kingdom, or to put it in simpler terms, we are given a prime example of what God will say when we step into Eternity and recieve our crowns to place at Jesus' feet. Check it out:
Matthew 25:14-30 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
"So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, "Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' He also who had received two talents came and said, "Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."Then he who had received the one talent came and said, "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'
"But his lord answered and said to him, "You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
"For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
see in this parable we are shown that people in the kingdom of God have different ministries and contribute in different ways. Such is what makes up the Body of Christ as Christ as at the head. We see that in the parable 2 of the three servants were good stewards of their masters kingdom and money while he is away. This is a prime example that the Christian is to be good stewards of God's kingdom while Christ is away. So when He comes back, we can hear Him say "Well done, thy good and faithful servant" And we are only good stewards of GOd's kingdom if we follow His will and offer our bodies and ourselves to His work and not our own. Again, i say without God it is impossible to 1) keep his commandments. 2) be born again 3) come under conviction of the Holy Spirit. 4) Understand Scripture 5) have a relationship with the Creator 6) be forgiven of our sins 7) breathe and have life
know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. So apart from God we can do nothing. So your statement that satan has promoted the idea that God is too loving to punish transgression is partly in error. God is loving. Even the Bible says that "While we were yet Sinners God still loved us" God will dispense Justice, don't fret over that...God's love is what sent Jesus to die in the first place and by His substitutionary death, we are set free from the judgement that will befall those who are not saved by Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. So think about your statements and make sure that they line up 100% with Scripture before you make as bold a statement that satan is behind the idea that God is too loving. Any serious student of God's Word will see that God is LOVE. and that from Him comes love. And any serious student of the Word will also see that even if we do disobey God or make a mistake we have been forgiven of it and we must acknowledge our sin and turn from it. Do keep in mind that as i'm talking, i am speaking about Christians first and foremost, if i mention unbelievers i will specify, but point being. There will be some who try to keep the commandments, who worship the Law (creation) instead of the Law Maker (The Creator). They will rely on their works and religion to get them Eternal Life. Much like the pharisees. Hence Matthew 7:21-23. The above is why Jesus spoke those words. He was warning against complacency and thus showing that salvation only comes through Him. Get it? OK i'm finished for the time being...but i'll be checking in to see what other crazy stuff is put here. God Bless
In His Service,
Joshua
