Christ has paid the penalty, and it takes
due effect in the forgiveness of every sinner. He "tasted death for
every man." Therefore, there can be no just punishment even in the case
of the most incorrigible; far less can there be eternal punishment.
But then, as I have said, the sinner needs holiness. Suffering seems to
be absolutely necessary here. But in this case suffering is not
punishment; for punishment implies wrong doing. But all wrong doing has
been atoned for, as we have seen. Hence the suffering that is inflicted
is not punishment; it is discipline; the Fatherly infliction of love.
"Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth."
And what is the divine intention of this chastisement or discipline? Is
it not the production of a worthy character? In this case it is no less
than the re-creation of a character. In producing such a character God
uses various means, and one of these, as we have seen, is discipline.
But if suffering were continued through all eternity, it would surely
not be discipline. We think it would have the very opposite effect, and
would produce the maximum of evil. Therefore, on the ground of needed
discipline, as well as on that of forgiveness, we can see no necessity
for eternal torment. And if there is no necessity for it, certainly it
is not inflicted.
It may be well to make this matter a little clearer, even at the risk
of some repetition.
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