But Paul, what about that whole forgiveness thing?

But Paul, what about that whole forgiveness thing?

2 Timothy 4:14-15(NKJV)

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 

You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

Not sensing a lot of forgiveness here.  Paul is asking God to give this guy what he deserves.  At least that is what a lot of people in our modern culture would say.  Non-Christians seem to think that we Christians should let people walk all over us and then greet them with a big wet kiss and a hug afterwards.  To do anything less shows that you didn't forgive them and are being hateful.
 

To which I say BS.  Forgiving someone but still wanting to see them punished for what they have done are two separate things.  I can think of no better way to illustrate that than to look to Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:10(NKJV)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 

Scripture tells us that Jesus died for our sins.  When we accept Jesus we get eternal life.  But as the above Scripture tells us we must still stand before the judgment seat of Christ and our rewards in Heaven will be adjusted based on the good and bad in our lives.  We get eternal life but we don't escape all punishment.   

Just another example of why it is so important to know your Bible so that you aren't led astray buy those who like to twist the Bible to their own unrighteous purposes.