When people hear the name GOD these days, different thoughts come to mind. Besides those who don’t believe in the LORD GOD JEHOVAH, people see Him from different views.
Some people see the GOD of judgement, with His list of rules they can never keep. They feel like failures and are waiting for the wrath to fall. Others see the GOD of grace and mercy. They came as they were, but they stayed that way. No guilt, no repentance, and no change. GOD knows my heart.
To begin with, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen 1:1 KJV) and “I am the Lord, I change not” (Mal 3:6 KJV). “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Mat 5:48 KJV). “God is a consuming fire” (12:29 KJV).
But “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17 KJV).
JESUS began his ministry preaching “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mat 4:17 KJV), so it was a vital part of His message. When He forgave the woman caught in adultery he said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11 KJV) because changed behavior shows a changed heart.
In the end, everyone will see GOD in one of two ways: As Judge when He says, “depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mat 7:23 KJV) or as Savior when He says, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Mat 25:21 KJV). Which way will you see GOD?
Wayne Lance – That’s Good News to Share!