Punishment is part and parcel of judgment (4/5/09)

The following message and the related Scriptures below, can be utilized along with: A Suggested Format For Home Worship

Note: Definition of “Judgment:” “In law, the sentence of doom pronounced in any cause, civil or criminal, by the judge or court by which it is tried.” [Webster]

As a rule of thumb when I see a news report of a horrible murderous “incident” I will formulate a lead-in title [for the moralmatters.org website] something like this [below] – and then the actual news report title:

Evidence of a literal hell. Reservations are always being booked – “Khmer Rouge horrors detailed at opening trial” (3/31/09)

A person cannot expect that his or her sinful actions will go unnoticed and without punishment. Divine judgment pronounced upon human sin, intrinsically presupposes, punishment. As a Christian and Christian pastor I am convinced because of Scripture’s testimony and Christ’s quoted words, that there is, indeed an actual place, called “Hell.” This place of eternal abode is not a pleasant place, but a place of punishment and torment – “something” to be avoided at all costs. [Luke 16:19-31 ; Matthew 10:28] The Hebrew and Christian Scriptures have referred to hell as a future [literal] place of punishment [torment] for those who are estranged from their Creator. [Matthew 10:28]

It would be inconceivable that wrong doing [sin] should go unnoticed and without punishment:

Sin against God, His Commandments and one’s fellowman, have always brought not only the stigma of a negative consequence but a future judgment to balance the scales. Those whose present lifestyle actions are pitted against the good and gracious will of Creator God, stand, most to lose. A holy and just God, cannot go against his own perfected nature and allow imperfection on the part of humanity to flourish and go rewarded. Especially, a holy God cannot allow imperfection to exist in His holy heaven. Sin against God, His Commandments and one’s fellowman, incurs God’s just punishment preceded by His judgment. [Matthew 25: 31-46]

The present and eternal significance of Christ’s sacrifice for human sin:

The Scriptures teach that Christ Jesus came into our world “to save sinners.” In order to “save sinners” from the eternal judgment and punishment from those sins, Christ died [according to God’s prophesied plan] on a Roman cross. [Psalm 22 ; Isaiah 53 ; Matthew 27] In fact, the full judgment punishment of Creator God was poured out upon Christ to satisfy the punishment that had and must be paid for sinning against God, His Commandments and one’s fellowman. [Psalm 22 ; Isaiah 53 ; Matthew 27] Christ, the Son of God was literally forsaken by His father, God Almighty, as part of the perfect sacrifice for human sin. [Psalm 22: Isaiah 53 ; Matthew 27] This is an aspect of hell that is often overlooked. A large part of hell’s forever torment will be that it is a God forsaken place of loneliness and regret. [Luke 16:10-31] Life without God’s perfect presence is an existence that is difficult to imagine. If [and He does] Christ holds all things together by his Almighty presence [Colossians 1:16-17] , then life without God’s influence portends all that is incomplete, evil and imperfect.

Easter Sunday is just around the corner:

The annual celebration of Easter is again upon the world. To those followers of Christ, Easter is a no-brainer. It is the Christian holiday that celebrates the difference between our God and gods that are falsely worshiped. Our God lives. Those who worship other gods do not worship the Living Lord. They do not worship Divine reality. Their worship is a false worship and consequently, their worship is a dead worship.

Friend, if you do not understand or have a clue to what you have just heard or read, I encourage you to immerse yourself in the reading and studying of the 4 Gospels of the Christian New Testament. Discover for yourself the Christ of history. Discover why God became a man. Discover His holy life, suffering, death and Resurrection triumph. As you are blest and graced by God’s Holy Spirit, you will be able to understand the significance and seriousness of Christ carrying the full judgment of God upon your sin to deliver you from future eternal punishment. This action of Christ, is God’s gift to you. But a gift is useless unless received. May you by God’s grace come to know; to appreciate and finally to (inwardly / spiritually) accept the forgiveness of sins that Christ purchased on Good Friday, for your very own soul. Amen.

Note: The above message and related Scriptures (below) may be utilized in: "A Suggested Format for Home Worship"

Old Testament:

Psalm 22 ; Isaiah 53 ; Psalm 16:10 -- Prophecies hundreds of years before His birth, Christ’s life, suffering, death and resurrection

New Testament:

Matthew 27 – 28 – The fulfillment of Hebrew [Old Testament] Scriptural prophecy about Christ
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The Christian Faith -- Parts 1-3

1) What is meant by “Believing” and / or, being, “Saved?”
2) How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place
3) What are the tell-tale signs that a person has been “saved” [is a Christian believer]?
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Of Whom Does the Prophet Speak by By Victor Buksbazen -- an in-depth view of Isaiah 53 and the prophecy of Christ, hundred of years before his birth. Isaiah 53 underscores the truthfulness of Divine Revelation as exemplified in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.
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