Thursday, September 3, 2015

God Is Not Out To Get Us... He Loves Us!

At our Bible study, last night, some of the discussion which occurred reminded me of an important truth about God. The truth is: God is not trying to hide from us; He is not trying to keep us from knowing Him; He is not trying to make it difficult for people to experience salvation in Him.

The life, death and resurrection of Jesus makes it clear that He wants us to experience His grace and mercy. It is His desire that we come to know life in Him.

According to the Bible He wants all people to be saved. Check out this verse: “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4

You might think, “Well this is obvious, isn’t it?”

Yes, in a way, this is obvious. Except that in the world of religion there can sometimes be a tendency to complicate things.

I realize this is odd, but sometimes the truths of God are communicated in such a way that a person could get the impression God is actually out to get us. Based on what they have heard, some people wonder if maybe God is gleefully rubbing his hands together and looking for some technicality which will lead Him to withhold His love, grace and forgiveness from us.

This “God-who-is-out-to-get-us” impression is incorrect. In fact, it bothers me. God loves us. Going to extraordinary lengths, He did everything that needed to be done in order for us to come into relationship with Him.

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

God’s preference is not that we are lost so that He can…

“Finally get to dish out the punishment you no-good punks deserve!”

His preference is that we walk with Him, know Him and find life in Him.

“[God] …is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9


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