Does God hold grudges?

I've talked forever with my boyfriend on this, and got no where. He tried to explain and help me understand, but I'm still as lost as ever.

Does God hold grudges? When people enter heaven, he said that we get rewards for the good deeds we do on earth. How can this be true, does God not hold us at a equal level, rewarding anyone who gets into heaven?

I'm sure there is people in hell that needed rewared, but died wiht sin.


So I guess what I am trying to say is, if its true, why would God reward some, and not others?

Example: 2 people enter heaven, one was a sinner all his life, hated God and never wanted him to be in his life. And the other one was a good hearted Christian who spent his life serving Christ. So then God rewards the latter man more cause he spent his life serving him, while the other man just disgraced him. Wouldn�t that be God holding back, cause of the man�s past? Why wouldn�t God just forgive him totally? they both got in, but one God apprciated more??


[Edited on 30-7-2004 by katt06]

Any God that would condemn someone to Hell for an eternity (ie: infinity), for a finite "sin", that had finite results, sounds like the kind of God that holds grudges, if you ask me.

God loves all his children equally and forgives all his children equally. I don�t think he holds any grudges against us. The reward you are talking about is equal for everyone, the reward it to be allowed to live with him for eternity in heaven.

yea, guess thats true, if he would condem his own creation to hell, i guess he would hold grudges too

Originally posted by katt06
yea, guess thats true, if he would condem his own creation to hell, i guess he would hold grudges too

We have free will and he has given us his law. It is up to us to decide what path we take in life to follow his word or to abandon it. Ultimately God doesn�t send us to hell we are the ones that send ourselves to hell because it�s our responsibility.

If a criminal murders another person he knows the consequences for such an action. If he is caught, sent to trial and convicted to life in prison did the state hold a grudge or did this man choose his own fate?

I would argue that the man knew what the consequences of his actions would be and chose the outcome of his own life, he had the choice because he knew the law.

Originally posted by katt06


Example: 2 people enter heaven, one was a sinner all his life, hated God and never wanted him to be in his life. And the other one was a good hearted Christian who spent his life serving Christ. So then God rewards the latter man more cause he spent his life serving him, while the other man just disgraced him. Wouldn�t that be God holding back, cause of the man�s past? Why wouldn�t God just forgive him totally? they both got in, but one God apprciated more??


[Edited on 30-7-2004 by katt06]

In your example the first man you lead me to believe that the first man never accepted Christ as Savior. If that's the case He would not go to heaven, because he chose to go to hell by rejecting Christ. The second one you say is a christian which means he accepted Christ so he is in heaven because he accepted the sustitutionary death of Jesus in payment for his sins. So he would receive reward for his service, if his motives were right. The Bible says God forgets the sins of those who are forgiven through Christ. The other person kept his sin.

The thing is, "For God so LOVED the WORLD that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. I don't think saying God holds grudges is accurate. He sent Christ because He loves the world. Sinner and saint. If someone rejects Christ their whole life He will not completely overule their free will. If they insist on living life without Him, He will grant that request at their death.

There are different rewards for those in heaven. God gave us the example of 2 men entering heaven. One was put in charge of 10 cities while another was put in charge of 5. But he also gave us the example of someone hiring workers. At first light some were hired to work in the field for a certain amount of money. At noon there were still men looking for work, so they were hired also. When pay time came the ones who worked less time got just as much as the ones who worked longer hours. God will be fair when He rewards in heaven. He can't be otherwise. Paul in the New Testament likened the christian life to running a race. In a couple of weeks the Olympics will be held. The runners in races(both women and men) are going to run to win the prize. Christians(women and men,boys and girls) are to do the same, live your life to win the prize.

Does God hold grudges? well maybe not before the bush administration right now I think he is pretty mad about bush using his name in vane.

this just a joke.

By the way why should god hold a grudge on humanity? he suppously created men if he does not like what men has done to the world all he has to do is exterminte us Right?

I think God doesnt keep "grudges" because no one really exists for more than a blink of his eye.

I do however think that he gives people ongoing punishments.
Like Adam and Eve, Cain, All of us, The whole world pre-flood.. Etc etc

Overall, I think God is pretty just.
Not too lenient, not too strict.

That God is too hard, and that God is too soft; But, my God is juuuussst right.