When we study the Old Testament, God's wrath toward sin is unveiled. His righteous judgment is repeatedly poured out against evil, yet the psalmist proclaimed ...
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in compassion and lovingkindness. Psalm 103:8
A lost and dying world refuses to believe in a God who, in their estimation, arbitrarily punished mankind for sin under the old covenant ... yet wants us to accept His love and forgiveness under the new. They stubbornly contend that their 'unbelief' is justified by these contradictory portrayals of His nature.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ must be presented in such a way as to bridge that gap.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
As we contemplate the wrath that was poured out on His only begotten Son, we see that God did not change His attitude toward sin. He can be merciful and still not deny the seriousness of sin and its due punishment.
Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:4
Know this; if you purposefully commit sin, thinking the Lord will just overlook it and forgive ... you are 'despising His goodness'. You've made it into an opportunity for worldly indulgence.
Paul warned ... Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Romans 6:1-2
No comments:
Post a Comment