Is God that Merciful?

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NoelFitz

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What does it mean to say God is love and he made us to know, love and serve him? Are we sinners who stand before him in need of forgiveness and grace? Is it right to hope he will forgive us who, although we are sinners, try not to judge others, to love all people and walk humbly with our God, but not in a judgemental or proud way?

But we do have intellect and will. We judge many things, but should we judge the state of our souls and that of others? I learned that sex outside marriage is gravely sinful, but are all those in ambiguous sexual relationship bound for hell?

When I read an article sounding like a dog whistle, I wonder what the motivation is. As an Irish person, not directly involved in US politics, I read the article by Karlo Broussard (Unreasonable Sex, 9/2/2019) and think is it about morality or a political message condemning those who are opposed to certain people in US politics?

I think of the words of Pope Francis and ask ‘who am I to judge?’. I also remember the injunction that we should not judge, so we will not be judged, and also the reminder that St Paul did not judge people, not even himself.

So perhaps should we let people in a free society follow their consciences and act as they think right, and vote for whom they think is the best candidate?

Please do not condemn me, but remember me in your prayers and perhaps on the last day we will meet Socrates and tell him we always knew he was not mortal, and that we are happy that he will live forever with us, and with a lot of queer folk, in heaven.
 
I learned that sex outside marriage is gravely sinful, but are all those in ambiguous sexual relationship bound for hell?
That’s between them and God. The Church still maintains that it’s a Grave Matter though.
I also remember the injunction that we should not judge, so we will not be judged, and also the reminder that St Paul did not judge people, not even himself.
We still have to follow The Rules:

John 15:10

”If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love: as I also have kept my Father’s commandments and do abide in his love.”
 
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Some people get very bound up in sin. Maybe it relieves their loneliness, maybe it satisfies a biological urge, maybe they get their kicks from transgressing and showin’ ya all how brave they are and nobody’s gonna tell them what to do!

Our job is to follow the moral law, tell the truth and walk with Jesus.
 
Is it right to hope he will forgive us who, although we are sinners, try not to judge others, to love all people and walk humbly with our God, but not in a judgemental or proud way?
As with anything, the devil is tricky and can twist things in order to deceive the unweary.

God is TRUTH, thus Love and Mercy in order to be from God, must exist in truth. To love without truth, is a false love and does not come from God. Thus the task of the Church is to always teach the truth with love. As Scripture explains:

“If we claim to have fellowship with God and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” -1 John 1:6

As for not judging, this means not assuming something about someone, being that we have not walked in their shoes nor can we read their heart. As for judging between right and wrong, for this we have an intellect and the commandments of God. Thus we are to hate the sin but love the sinner. And since we are all sinners, we cannot afford to lie to ourselves.

And Do not be fooled into thinking that we are not to speak against sin; that would be a Satanic deception.
 
Your last sentence says it all very well!

There are several verses in the New Testament that tell us that we are to correct others when they need correction. We need to do this out of love.

Here is one: Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted.”

Read Matthew 18: 15-`17 it is another reading about correcting.

“Do not judge” does not mean we should not correct! Many people misunderstand what it means.
 
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