MartyLK

That's Satan talking to you. Satan wants you to feel afraid of the Man on the cross shedding his life and blood, not to point a finger at you, he's doing it uncomplainingly out of the highest love and compassion that only our Lord can have. And he's doing it for *you*. He had you in mind when he was hanging painfully on that cross. He wants you to be with him were he is. More than that, he did what he did so you could be free and also have his peace in you.

God wants the highest freedom and enjoyment for his creation; for all of us.

Now....separate discipline from punishment. God disciplines those he loves. He knows exactly and precisely what is best for us. Anything we would love to have he would give if it were good for us; if it were not harmful to us. If we weren't corrupt in our natural selves there would be no need for discipline. But, as a child is wayward, we, in our natural selves, require direction.

God's discipline can be painful at times, I know for myself how deeply in distress I can become at the painful trials I have faced.

Look at it this way: If you are a Christian...you certainly sound like one...who's going through trials...you are clothed with a perfect, holy and innocent person: Jesus Christ. God sees the Son when he looks at a Christian. He can no more punish one of us Christians than he could punish his own, holy, Son. But he can, and does, discipline. Here are just a few of many verses of encouragement that Jesus has to offer us:

EDIT
Also, in Christ, your sins have been forgiven, every single one of them. There is no sin too big, for a believer, that Jesus can't forgive. Now....here's the hard part:

He wants you to put your sins in the past; to completely forget about them; to never bring them up again. I told ya it was the hard part. But that's his will. He wants your conscience to be completely free of guilt; to rejoice in him and sing in your heart to him. Let your heart resound, right now, even in the midst of your pain, with song and praise for him from a heart that is glad to be free, forgiven and sincere.


1 Pet 4:12-13 NIV
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Deut 8:2-3 NIV
Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you... to teach you that man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

James 1:12 NIV
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the victor's crown, the life God has promised to those who love him.

1 Pet 1:6 NIV
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

Rom 5:3-5 NIV
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Rev 2:10 NIV
"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."

PreachingTruth

MLK, we are in agreement. How about that
You said it better than I could have myself.

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Boanerges

As a christian there is love- you are either in Christ or out of Christ- judgement begins at the house of God because God judges the sins, unrenewed thoughts and lifestyles that seperate us from intimacy with Him - freedom to enjoy His fellowship and blessing is our judgement and I thank God for every second of conviction He gives me.
As far as the world- He has a merciful heart and desires that all would seek Him amd be saved but those who choose to live their lives without Him will reap accordingly-yes He loves the sinner, we know that because He sent His Son for them-In Christ or out- that is the most important decision a man can make-In His Name Larry

JesusReignsForever

I believe that God does hate sin obviouly, but I believe that he does hate sinners who dont know any better life than just to continue in sin. How would God hate a sinner who dosent know any other way? I do believe that God Hates sinners who sin but to know better....if that makes sense.
Other than that Nice Post!

Boanerges

We were all sinners but He loved us - only those who choose to stay outside His grace will know His wrath-

PreachingTruth

To those who refuse to believe that the Lord hates anyone, I ask, what is your explanation of the verses posted above?

Does the Lord hate the Devil?

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Boanerges

Anyone who chooses to reject God will find themselves in the position of being detested (hated) by God- no denying that- when it comes to a christian it has no apllication but a person who rejects Christ and His sacrifice of love will find themselves in just that position.