Pastor John,
The blog this morning is so good! Interestingly, last night I was going through 2Timothy 3 and these verses stood out to me written by Paul:
- Alexander the metalworker did me much harm; may the Lord reward him according to his deeds,
- whom also you, yourself, watch, for he vehemently opposed our words.
- At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone forsook me; may it not be held against them.
- Nevertheless, the Lord stood with me, and he strengthened me so that through me, the preaching might fully be accomplished and all the Gentiles may hear, and I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.
- And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me for his heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
It struck me that Paul asked the Lord to reward Alexander according to his deeds, and then the comfort that Paul got in return, even though there was harm done by Alexander, the Lord stood with Paul and strengthened him to get the truth to the Gentiles.
Verses like these help clear the air from the Christian notion that you must forgive everyone that does harm. Of course, we do not wish that anyone should perish, but there is also the side that you will be judged according to your deeds. And it seems here, that the righteous can ask for such a thing. Jesus did with Judas, even though he thought of him as a friend; Zechariah, as you mentioned, and Paul did a couple of times, and probably more.
It really comes down to who’s on the Lord’s side? If you do deeds according to the will of God, you will be judged accordingly , and if you do deeds not of the will of God, the same. And if they are against the furtherance of the Gospel, there is a penalty, not just forgiveness.
Amy B.
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That is true, Amy.
In all things, we should keep a balanced view of life. Here is what Paul said about that: “Behold, therefore, the goodness and the severity of God; toward those who have fallen, severity, but toward you, goodness – if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise, you, too, shall be cut off” (Rom. 11:22).
I recall that the author of Hebrews, after speaking of what will happen to the disobedient, added this note to the saints to whom he was writing:
Hebrews 6
- But we are persuaded of better things concerning you, beloved, and things which attend salvation, even though we talk this way.
- For God is not unjust to forget your work and the labor of love which you have demonstrated toward His name, in that you have served and continue to serve the saints.
- But we earnestly desire that each of you show the same diligence, in the full assurance of hope, until the end,
- that you not become lazy, but followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
That is how I feel toward the precious saints whom Jesus has put in my care. I am persuaded of better things of you all, and I want you all to continue on the good path and be crowned with eternal life in the end.
Pastor John
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