The coming destruction of the reprobate will serve the glory of God just as the catastrophic destruction of Stalin’s communism or Hitler’s Nazism glorified the rule of justice. America looked forward to the destruction of Nazism, Japanese Imperialism, and Soviet Communism and longed for the day when the enemies of justice would be destroyed. Yet when a Christian expresses a longing for the day when the enemies of God’s glory will be destroyed they are stared at as if they were growing horns out of their heads. Sure, Christ lovers desire that the Christ haters would surrender just as our grandparents desired the surrender of the Axis powers. However in both cases, where there is a refusal to surrender there is a eager anticipation and longing for the utter defeat of those who stand in the way to God’s justice triumphing.
It is a good thing when rebels against God’s order, destroyers of God’s people, and creators of cultures of death are put down. Would that they would learn that it is God’s kindness that is giving them time to repent. Would that they would thus repent and so be destroyed by conversion and not continue in their unholy defiance of the Lord Christ which will lead to their destruction by judgment. But if they will continue to plot in vain against Christ and if they will continue defy God, then I look forward to their destruction and I will rejoice when it arrives just as my grandparents looked forward to the destruction of the Axis power and rejoiced when the Axis were finally defeated.
None of this is said w/o understanding that I deserve to perish w/ the Christ-haters. None of this is said as if I do not yet have wickedness in me that has needs of being conquered. However, due to God’s strange grace and furious mercy He has put me in Christ and as such I have gone from God’s enemy to God’s friend. As God’s friend I can’t help but desire that all who oppose His majesty, soil His splendor, and mock His Holiness to be utterly conquered. As God’s friend I can’t help but desire that all those who belittle His grace, rage against His law, and profane His transcendence be consumed by God’s glory.
With all that is within me I would that God’s enemies sue for peace by fleeing to Christ but if they will not and if they will continue to kick against the goads of God’s long-suffering patience and unrequited love then I look forward to rejoicing in their utter destruction.
You wrote: “Yet when a Christian expresses a longing for the day when the enemies of God’s glory will be destroyed they are stared at as if they were growing horns out of their heads.”
Large portions of the evangelical church embrace only one doctrine; i.e., to love everyone at all costs; any type of proper judgement or discernment or call for justice as scripture teaches is frowned upon with that stare you mentioned above. Their application and interpretation of “Christian love” leaves no room for justice toward those who harm others.
Tragically, much of the modern church is actually opposed to the Lord because they feel it is un-loving to seek justice against an evil person or political grouping such as National Socialism, Fascism, etc.
Well said. This is indeed rampant, and can now be experienced in reformed orthodox circles. Much of Christianity will now proclaim personal spiritual “realities” and the “cosmic” battle of Ephesians while exhibiting little or no discernment within reality, and less and less courage to oppose and engage the antithesis. As Brett alludes to above, God’s patience must be understood in light of His law. The church is promoting God’s attributes without God. You end up with some changeable mushy dialectic dribble that gets spooned over everything, while we sort of tip our hat to God for including it on the menu. I heard a lecture recently by Scott Masson, from The Ezra Institute, a Christian group in Canada taking a public stand, where he distinguishes suffering for Christ with suffering for suffering’s sake, which is where this all leads.The martyrs proclaimed “Christ is King”, not “I’m a Christian”. I am old enough to recall a cheesy TV show from the seventies called “Love American Style”. What we seem to be experiencing, for the most part, is “Love Christianity Style”. Christ is Lord. He alone deserves our trust, obedience, and devotion, not abstracted attitudes and processes.
Original: But if they will continue to plot in vain against Christ and if they will CONTINUE defy God,
Edit: “Continue TO defy God,”
Original: then I look forward to their destruction and I will rejoice when it arrives just as my grandparents looked forward to the destruction of the Axis power and rejoiced when the Axis were finally defeated.
Edit: “Then I WILL look forward.” Because every other statement has will, this one should as well to keep the tense consistent.
Original: but if they will not and if they will continue to kick against the goads of God’s long-suffering patience and unrequited love then I look forward to rejoicing in their utter destruction.
Edit: “Then I WILL look forward to rejoicing”