Tuesday 10 November 2009

Is God Angry?

The punishments prescribed in Leviticus and Deuteronomy were examples of what Hell would be like. In the Old Testament, under the old covenant, when a man and a woman were caught in adultery they were brought out of the city gates to be stoned or killed. If we look at the parable, that Jesus told, where the bridegroom kicked out the man who wasn't invited to the wedding, we see an analogy. The man was set outside the door where there will be darkness, and weeping and gnashing of teeth. God will not allow adultery in His presence. He will not allow any sinfulness in His Kingdom.

People will argue that since our faith is belief in the New and the Old Testament, then God commands us to kill. No, He was demonstrating His just will in the Old Testament. And if He didn't want law breakers to go unpunished or adulterers to die, then He would not be just, and it would contradict who He is. But God is also merciful and gave grace to the obedient in the old covenant. Under the new covenant, God has given grace to the humble who take up their cross and follow Him, and punishment to the wicked who reject His Son and cling to their fleshly desires. There had to be a propitiation for all the sins of the world. And that's why Jesus came—to fulfil His perfect will.

Yes, God is angry. He is angry at sin, but He doesn't want us to be scared into repenting. In other words, God does not want to kill you for His glory. He does not find it delightful nor do the angels in heaven sing and praise the Lord every time a sinner goes to hell (Isaiah 27:4-5). There is no greater love than our Lord Jesus Christ. He took upon the wrath that we deserve and laid it upon himself. He knows our pain, because He suffered as a man on the cross. What love! What sacrifice! What a humble and merciful God! What better way to demonstrate His mercy and grace than physically through the man Jesus our Christ and Saviour. He knows we needed evidence and something tangible. What better way than smashing himself into creation(man) to intercede on our behalf. God is love!

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The Meaning of Life

The meaning of life is to know God, obey Him, and to make Him known.