This is true and I agree with Strydersroom about God possibly giving people a last chance right before death, but for all we know, maybe in the end, when the final judgement is complete, God will feel bad if it turns out a vast majority of people did not choose him, and make an ‘executive decision’ and bring everyone into some kind of peaceful existence for eternity…he is merciful and he can do whatever he likes…?It’s a nice thought but unfortunately not Biblical and not what the Church teaches.
Well then God would have lied in Matthew chapter 25 when he separated the sheep from the goats. His mercy is for the repentant.This is true and I agree with Strydersroom about God possibly giving people a last chance right before death, but for all we know, maybe in the end, when the final judgement is complete, God will feel bad if it turns out a vast majority of people did not choose him, and make an ‘executive decision’ and bring everyone into some kind of peaceful existence for eternity…he is merciful and he can do whatever he likes…?
(Matthew 12:22-32).He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come"
JPIIIf Jesus says that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven either in this life or in the next, it is because this ‘non-forgiveness’ is linked, as to its cause, to ‘non-repentance’, in other words to the radical refusal to be converted. . . . Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, then, is the sin committed by the person who claims to have a ‘right’ to persist in evil—in any sin at all . .
Why wait? Repent now and lead a joyful life free from the slavery of sin!It’s a nice thought but unfortunately not Biblical and not what the Church teaches.
I am in support of this:thumbsup:Why wait? Repent now and lead a joyful life free from the slavery of sin!
Read my whole post again. I know what church teaching is. Doesn’t mean we can’t try to understand it.Who is more likely to know whether hell exists or not; Jesus or you? If you believe in what the Bible tells us Jesus had to teach about this, playing with concepts adds little. But a hobby is good. My hobby is working towards never finding out until it doesn’t matter personally.
Is that fair?To me, it seems clear from Scripture that some people will be horrified to learn that they are about to be cast into hell, and will say “I made a mistake”, but will be sent to eternal punishment anyway. In other words, there will be many who did not make an affirmative “choice” or “decision” for hell but who will be punished eternally because of their recklessness or negligence. Check the Parable of the Virgins.
God does not punish mistakes, He punishes unrepented mortal sin.Thanks to those who are really trying to help me with my question.
I find it amusing that so many replies on CAF threads are in some form or another a belittling of the question/thread topic. Don’t reply if you don’t think you’re spending your time well. Don’t question whether or not I’ve “ever sat down and read the New Testament”. I know what Jesus says and what the church say. So what? I’m talking not just about the existence of hell but a certain understanding that encompasses the nature of sin and God’s mercy and justice. Trying to reconcile how one could be eternally punished for making a mistake.
One could say you are judging the efforts of the posters here to try to sort out this problem. Many of us have wrestled with the same.Thanks to those who are really trying to help me with my question.
I find it amusing that so many replies on CAF threads are in some form or another a belittling of the question/thread topic. Don’t reply if you don’t think you’re spending your time well. Don’t question whether or not I’ve “ever sat down and read the New Testament”. I know what Jesus says and what the church say. So what? I’m talking not just about the existence of hell but a certain understanding that encompasses the nature of sin and God’s mercy and justice. Trying to reconcile how one could be eternally punished for making a mistake.
Thank you for this. Sometimes I feel I don’t “do” enough. It the sin of perfection (pride). God asks us to be faithful, not successful. I think Mother Teresa said that.God does not punish mistakes, He punishes unrepented mortal sin.