Today's scripture: Colossians 3:25
Many wonderful attributes describe the triune God. He is gracious, merciful,
and loving. He is our Redeemer, Savior, and Teacher. He is our refuge, our
stronghold, our strength. He is personal. He is holy, righteous, and just.
Most people can get on board with the majority of these descriptors. But many
have a problem with the last. God is just. They say if God is loving, then why
does He punish? Why is there a hell? Wouldn't a loving God just let everyone go
to heaven?
The fact that God is just goes hand-in-hand with the fact that He's holy and
righteous. God cannot co-exist with sin. Yet, because He loved His first
created man and woman so much, He gave them the choice to obey Him and remain
in intimate communion with Him or to choose their own way. And though it's a
mystery to us, the all-holy, all-perfect God allowed sin to enter the world.
It was always God's plan, though, to offer the means of man's reconciliation
with Him, first through animal sacrifice and then through the once-for-all
sacrifice of God the Son, Jesus Christ. God has revealed Himself to mankind
throughout the ages, and He still does so today through the general revelation
of His creation and the biblical revelation of the gospel.
We all have the opportunity to choose to follow Him or choose to go our own
way. And if we choose the latter, there will be consequences. Those who choose
not to follow Christ on earth—to, in essence, separate themselves from Him—will
spend eternity separated from Him.
Yes, God is love. Yes, He offers grace and mercy. But He is also holy and righteous
and just. And because He is a God of justice, He must deal with sin. He must
deal with those who don't choose Him.
And they will reap the consequences.
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