The Reason why God does not strike down his enemies who sin against him is mercy

The Reason why God does not strike down his enemies who sin against him

An age-old question that many good living Christians and Jews will always ponder; can’t the Lord remove those who are his enemies?  It can be a mystery when the crucifixion presents itself in a way of sorting out for whom Christ suffered for if not sinners.  Then place ourselves outside of those for whom he died.  Does that indicate that if he died for sinners then who are we?  Perhaps the “we” does not include some of us making us even better than angels.

One of the reasons Jesus used parables was to point out the very essence of what his incarnation really was meant to accomplish existed between sinfulness and forgiveness.  Both attributes were part of the human scenario; sin was a human characteristic because of its evil attraction; and forgiveness was the only manner that we would find eternal happiness.  

Reading much of Luke’s Gospel we find how he gets right to the point of the mission of Jesus; seeking out the lost souls and providing a path to his mercy.  The number one story is the Lost Son, or the Prodigal Son.  As we read the event, line for line, place yourself in this son’s shoes and your Heavenly Father who is allowing your free will to control your desires.  (Lk 15: 11 - 22).

Again the matter of free will confuses some people who believe it was given so we could choose the attractions that tend to please us the most.  That seems like a far out idea of getting what we want even if we don’t need it.  However, free will was given to us so that we might choose to be with God; making that decision freely and without coercion.  

Once we are with God in eternity it will be a decision we made of our own choice because we love him and will stop at no attraction that would interfere with the holiness that we received from the grace that we were given because of the premise of righteousness that beats deep within our heart.  

One more time the question of why God does not punish his enemies while they are still alive and flourishing in their own luxury.  

The most sincere and logical response from God would be; he is waiting for each person who has not turned to him a chance to ask for forgiveness and turn back to him, their creator of love and perfect forgiveness.  That is exactly what the story of the Prodigal Son portrays for our lesson of what the Incarnation of Christ was all about.

A final lesson here is not to be like the older brother; judging and condemning as well.

Ralph B.Hathaway