tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post158334553324609503..comments2024-03-30T00:33:32.285+13:00Comments on Anglican Down Under: War or peace? Wrath or example?Peter Carrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09535218286799156659noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-30048348692403016422014-04-20T22:32:53.148+12:002014-04-20T22:32:53.148+12:00Indeed, Ron!
Now we are on the same page: Jesus wa...Indeed, Ron!<br />Now we are on the same page: Jesus was capable of 'harsh criticism'.<br />Also agreed that it was reserved for hypocritical or false teaching or legalistic-burden imposing religious leaders.Peter Carrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09535218286799156659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-33385086628122300832014-04-20T21:43:55.716+12:002014-04-20T21:43:55.716+12:00Another thought on your challenge here, Peter:
W...Another thought on your challenge here, Peter: <br /><br />Who were the sort of people for whom Jesus seemed to reserve his harshest criticism? The outwardly religious; whose opinion of the 'great unwashed was scarcely Gospel-laden!Father Ron Smithhttp://kiwianglo.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-30815615051045240462014-04-18T11:29:01.497+12:002014-04-18T11:29:01.497+12:00You may wonder, Peter. I do not. That's God...You may wonder, Peter. I do not. That's God's own business. Somehow, though, I don't believe that the Love of God is in any way overshadowed by God's wrath.<br /><br />Dame Julian of Norwich has a lot to say about that.<br /><br />Oh Love that will not let me go!Father Ron Smithhttp://kiwianglo.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-76339549851423849562014-04-17T21:05:00.709+12:002014-04-17T21:05:00.709+12:00Except, Ron, that Christ is 'judge of the livi...Except, Ron, that Christ is 'judge of the living and the dead'. Given that the remainder of the sentence says that forgiveness comes to 'everyone who believes in him', I wonder what the judge of the living and the dead does about those not believing in him?!Peter Carrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09535218286799156659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-6898333467417467502014-04-17T18:38:38.703+12:002014-04-17T18:38:38.703+12:00Acts 10:42-43: 'He commanded us to preach to t...Acts 10:42-43: 'He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.'<br /><br />The burden of this Scripture lies in the last sentence: Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His Name"<br /><br /> - Nothing here about Wrath!<br />It is all about undeserved LOVE.Father Ron Smithhttp://kiwianglo.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-34335634854856611592014-04-17T15:53:33.344+12:002014-04-17T15:53:33.344+12:00Peter you sum it up well in your final paragraph:
...Peter you sum it up well in your final paragraph:<br /><br />"The good news, of course, is that once again, blood serves to save people from the judgment of God, from God's justice being enacted on those of us who have acted unjustly. Through the blood of the Lamb we receive mercy undeserved." Except this time it is, "once and for all" for those who are willing to accept the message.<br /><br />I think Ron we are drawn to God by the fact that there is no fear of wrath or condemnation from our sins, because of God's love. The two are part of the same equation.<br /><br />It was God through Christ who chose the cross, even if it was those who rejected who Jesus was who carried it out - "Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54"How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?"…"<br /><br />But if we reject Christ? For where else Lord can I go?<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-78596076238925209602014-04-17T13:44:34.639+12:002014-04-17T13:44:34.639+12:00"We are drawn to God by Love - not the Fear o..."We are drawn to God by Love - not the Fear of God's Wrath!"<br /><br />Are you sure it's not both? My church has been going through Acts recently, and it's instructive to look at the climax of the speeches:<br /><br />Acts 2:40: 'With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."'<br /><br />Acts 10:42-43: 'He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.'<br /><br />Acts 17:30-31: 'In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.'<br /><br />Even the famous John 3:16 stands out as the mercy of God's salvation in the midst of judgement on mankind's wickedness.<br /><br />We love God because we have been forgiven much (Luke 7:47) by his mercy, and recognise that this is not what we deserve.Andrew Wnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-33933749225845651322014-04-17T11:13:54.136+12:002014-04-17T11:13:54.136+12:00"A New Commandment I give unto you: that you ..."A New Commandment I give unto you: that you love one another, as I have loved you" - today's antiphon -<br /><br />Jesus' washing of His disciples' feet is an example 'par excellence' of God's loving mercy and forgiveness. This is surely why Peter had a problem with having his feet washed by Jesus. He felt himself unworthy of the Redeemer's loving acceptance of his dirty feet (his sins).<br /><br />This is the reality of God's unremitting love and forgiveness for all who will submit to His loving care (and forgiveness).<br /><br />This says nothing about the 'Wrath of God' - an O.T. imperative, which has been overcome by 'The great Love of God as revealed in The Son' - undeserved? Totally! - but not withheld; from all who accept their culpability for sin but seek the eternal benefits of Jesus' generous self-surrender on the Cross.<br /><br />It was not The Father who crucified His Son. It was those in the Church who thought they had no sin! - the self-righteous! They could not admit their own need of redemption and forgiveness.<br /><br />We are drawn to God by Love - not the Fear of God's Wrath!<br /><br />That's why the Gospel is Good News and not Bad News for sinners! It is a case of the Old Covenant being replaced by the New Covenant - in and by Jesus!Father Ron Smithhttp://kiwianglo.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com