> According to Jesus, God cannot and will not have mercy on a (n undeserving) man who does not have mercy on (undeserving) others. There is no forgiveness for t

> According to Jesus, God cannot and will not have mercy on a (n undeserving) man who does not have mercy on (undeserving) others. There is no forgiveness for those who do not forgive others. Bringing death on others is asking for death upon ourselves (and for consistency, everyone else). I just disagree with this framing of things. First of all, you're implying that punishment necessarily implies lack of forgiveness; and conversely that forgiveness necessarily implies lack of punishment. But that would also imply that nobody can ever punish anyone: we can never fine someone who speeds, or take back from someone who stole something, or imprison someone who murdered someone. But this is clearly unbiblical; "For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." [1] The Bible clearly expects human beings to enact justice. (Perhaps you mean it's OK to fine someone and throw them in jail, but not kill them. But what's the difference from the "forgiveness" perspective? If it's "not forgiveness" to kill them, isn't it also "not forgiveness" to throw them in jail, or to fine them? If capital punishment is murder, then isn't jail kidnapping, and fining theft?) Secondly, I'd hardly even call this punishment. Hitler had already intentionally caused the death of millions of individuals loved and known by God and made in his image. This horror needed to be stopped; the people yet living need to be protected. By intentionally causing the deaths of others by his own hands, he gave up his right to be protected from death at the hands of others. I agree that if you are filled with hate against Hitler, that you are murdering him in your heart and damaging your own soul, whether or not you kill him physically or not. But it is entirely possible to kill someone like Hitler while earnestly desiring their salvation. Granted, this is not a decision to come to lightly; nor is killing a path to take if there are other, less-violent alternatives like voting or demonstrating. But I think in the case of Nazi Germany it was certainly warranted. [1] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2013%3A4&version=NIV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2013%3A4...