“Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity, but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” (Romans 11:22).
The above scripture reveals to us the two sides of God. God is love personified (1John 4:8), yet He is also a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God that was slain yet He is also the conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah. Many in our time view God from His goodness side and don’t think of His severe side. This write-up considers the 2 major sides of God.
Evidence of His goodness is revealed in:
His Love: The height of God’s love was demonstrated to mankind when Jesus went to the cross of Calvary to pay for the sins of mankind. The truth is that God is affectionate towards His creation and in particular mankind regardless of their religious affiliation, color, race, nationality, etc. His forgiving prowess is also a demonstration of His love for mankind. Any sinner no matter how grievous their sin that turns to God will be accepted and forgiven by Him. There is provision in the blood of Jesus to forgive sins and also to cleanse from sin.
His Mercy: God’s mercies transcends generations of those who fear Him to a thousand generations, in other words God keeps faith to a thousand generation to those who fear Him (Deuteronomy 7:9). He kept His mercy on Solomon and the line of David because of His relationship with King David. A delicate cargo or good that is to be shipped carries the tag, “Fragile, handle with care”. The Bible tells us God handles those who fear Him delicately, cautiously and with kid gloves (Psalm 103:11-14)
His Benevolence: God is disposed to doing good. His very essence is to extend generosity, kindness, favor, courtesy and blessing to all His creation. The Bible says in Matthew 5:45 that God makes the sun to shine on the evil and the good, and also makes the rain to fall on the just and on the unjust. His benevolence and kind nature is on all His creation and works (Psalm 145:9).
The other side of God is His severity. Some synonyms for severe are stern, authoritarian, tough, strict, hard, rigorous and heavy handed. God can be all these combined if He chooses to. Below are some evidences of His severity:
His Awesomeness: The word awesome means something/someone that inspires/invokes awe or fear or dread. The testimony of the Israelites on Mount Sinai when God gave them the 10 commandments and wanted to teach them His fear goes thus: “Now all the people witnessed the thundering, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, and when the people saw it they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses,” you speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die. ” (Exodus 20:18-19).
His Judgments: The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is a testament of how severe God’s judgments can be. Jesus was handed over to mortal men who flogged, ridiculed, spat, punished, ripped His body and crucified Him because God was judging Him for the sins of mankind He carried. The Bible says it pleased God to bruise Jesus and to put Him to grief (Isaiah 53:10). The punishment of hell fire is also a testament to how severe God can choose to be. God is not only to be reverenced but to be truly feared as someone will fear a burning fire or inferno.
His Holiness: Because of His holiness He cannot behold sin for too long. This is why every true child of God is clothed with the garment of righteousness (Romans 4:5-8, Isaiah 61:10). This is also the reason Jesus was dealt a big blow on the cross of Calvary. Any where sin is committed blatantly, perpetually, without remorse or regard for God will soon experience the wrath of God. He is simply of too pure eyes to behold iniquity.
CONCLUSION: Brethren, the choice is ours whether to see the good nature of God or His severe side. Anyone not born again is already under God’s condemnation (John 3:17-19). Make a wise decision today by fully surrendering to Jesus who is the only One that can save from the wrath of God.
Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
http://gboyegae.blogspot.com
www.rccgpittsburgh.net
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