Why Would God Wait? (punishment, Earth, salvation, hell, church)

[Fluffy]

He doesn't. I have been blessed beyond measure already. Those who choose heaven have some of it right here. Those who choose hell, have it here as well.

If everything we get in life is a reward or punishment from God then this is an easy way for people to blame loads of injustices on God. Babies, for example, who die a few hours after being born have done nothing wrong yet are punished.

[Scuba Pete]

Fluffy... God does not reward with temporal gifts. He gives only gifts of the spirit. One of my FAVORITE passages addresses this.

Epehsians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

The promise isn't for later it's for RIGHT NOW. Right now, I have EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING that I could ask for. I lack nothing that I need. RIGHT NOW!

Ever do a home fix it project? You go to the Home Depot and get what you need. You come home start the job and see that you need a doomaflitchie. You go BACK to the Home Depot and get a doomaflitchie, but when you get back home you find you got the wrong size! Back you go ad nauseum, until you finish the project, or have wasted so much time and energy that you can't possibly continue.

Well, think of God as "Heart Depot". He has EVERYTHING your heart could possibly need, and you don't have to go out for it. Do I know how to use everything he has given me??? Well sadly, I am still learning the "tools of the trade". I own enough tools here at the house to build a mansion. Could I build that mansion? Well having the tools means nothing until you practice with them. Maybe one day I will be able to do that. But it's NOT for want of tools.

God has given me more than I need and continues to lavish his spitual "frubals on my head".

[rivet]

Hmmm... maybe God should issue weekly progress reports for everyone. Instead of one final evalutation.

[Scuba Pete]

maybe God should issue weekly progress reports for everyone.

He issues them daily... just ask him for yours.

[Mr Spinkles]

Originally Posted by NetDoc

Right now, I have EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING that I could ask for.

What does this mean? Is a 'spiritual blessing' roughly equivalent to happiness/fulfillment?

I think Lightkeeper raises an interesting point. I have heard some argue that this life is a test, and if we pass the test we go to heaven...if we fail, God sends us to hell. However, what use does an omniscient being have for any tests? He presumably already knows how all of His creations will behave.

It seems that either God is not omniscient, or the purpose of this life is not to test our faith (or anything, for that matter).

[Bright-ness' Shadow]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Why would God wait until after death to judge, punish or reward us? Why not do these things while we are alive? Do the concepts of hell and salvation give the church purpose? Does the church have a purpose without these concepts?

It is the opium for the masses - the delayed gratification

[Scuba Pete]

What does this mean? Is a 'spiritual blessing' roughly equivalent to happiness/fulfillment?

Here are some GREAT spiritual blessings that God has seen fit to bless me with.

II Peter 1:5. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Man keeps looking to science to fulfill his inner needs and God hands them to us on a silver platter. No charge. As a society, it seems we are looking for "fulfillment" in all the wrong places.

[SoulTYPE]

I don't think God would worry too much about spammers and focus all his godness on those who desereve it

[Scuba Pete]

God knows the number hairs on your head, Soul. He cares for everyone. Not everyone cares for God.

[fromthe heart]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Why would God wait until after death to judge, punish or reward us? Why not do these things while we are alive? Do the concepts of hell and salvation give the church purpose? Does the church have a purpose without these concepts?

I don't feel God does wait on all things for punishment. I think we do get punishment and rewards here in our lifetime. We all have consequences of our actions whether positive or negative and I do feel some of this comes from the hand of God. If you take a situation and think of what you may have done differently to change the outcome you can sometimes see God's hand in it.

Yes the church does have a purpose even though there is current day punishment. The church should