Excellent post Scott, God wants us to be like him, and to trust him.
As Christ said: Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
We must forgive others in order to be forgiven by God:
And when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive it so that also your Father in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses.
(Mark 11:25-26)
As you said also, we must be prudent and not allow ourselves to open to abuse:
Forgiveness might also involve boundaries. Releasing bitterness doesn’t mean subjecting yourself to continued harm. You can forgive someone and still make needed changes to protect yourself or others from future abuse. The primary goal of forgiveness is not to erase wisdom or consequences, but rather to purge the real or potential poison of hate from our own hearts.
While we may forgive others that does not mean we must trust people who have done us harm before.
The answer is yes, as Christ said of those who had put him on the Cross "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
However, we also see that God will destroy those who don't obey him:
2Th_2:8 And then shall that Wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Rev_11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
God is able to destroy people, particularly if we judge and condemn others:
James 4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judges another?
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
(Mat 10:28)
God's justice is merciful, but he will not always forgive those who don't want to be forgiven and don't love his way of life:
He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Excellent post Scott, God wants us to be like him, and to trust him.
As Christ said: Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
We must forgive others in order to be forgiven by God:
And when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive it so that also your Father in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses.
(Mark 11:25-26)
As you said also, we must be prudent and not allow ourselves to open to abuse:
Forgiveness might also involve boundaries. Releasing bitterness doesn’t mean subjecting yourself to continued harm. You can forgive someone and still make needed changes to protect yourself or others from future abuse. The primary goal of forgiveness is not to erase wisdom or consequences, but rather to purge the real or potential poison of hate from our own hearts.
While we may forgive others that does not mean we must trust people who have done us harm before.
Did God forgive his enemies?
Interesting question.
Did God forgive his enemies?
The answer is yes, as Christ said of those who had put him on the Cross "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
However, we also see that God will destroy those who don't obey him:
2Th_2:8 And then shall that Wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Rev_11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
God is able to destroy people, particularly if we judge and condemn others:
James 4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judges another?
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
(Mat 10:28)
God's justice is merciful, but he will not always forgive those who don't want to be forgiven and don't love his way of life:
He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
(Rev 21:7-8)
https://friendswithgod.substack.com/p/the-scales-of-gods-justice
Great word Scott!
Keep shining!