It might also seem reasonable to say that any God worth worshiping must necessarily be "Good". (In fact, if this were not so, Atheists would not be attempting to demonstrate that God is "Not" good.)
What do we know about someone who is "Good"?
Someone who is Good is not indifferent to pain, oppression, wickedness, or suffering.
Someone who is Good AND possesses Authority will prevent and/or adequately punish those who have done such things.
If God judged "greater" evils (mentioned above), but not "lesser" evils, then He could not be perfectly Good, and would become unworthy of worship, love, or adoration.
Problem -- if God fully judged EVERY wicked thought, word, and deed, His Goodness would be vindicated. But that same Goodness would sweep up our own guilty thoughts, words, and deeds (and us with it) in judgment.
Solution -- Mercy is provided. A choice is offered.
THIS is the Good News: Those who would recognize both the Goodness of God, and their own wickedness are offered a Saviour.
They are offered a Saviour who loved and valued them while they were "still wicked". Jesus Himself was morally innocent, but accepted our guilt. He is worthy to Judge, but submitted to Judgment. He is worthy of Worship, but accepted the Wrath due Our sins.
We can trust in Christ as the one who "stood in our Law-place", and died the death or sins required. We can share the New Life that his Resurrection promises, and (most importantly) we can be Reconciled to God in Christ.
The sin we are guilty of is not simply dismissed, or waved away. It is fully punished in the obscene trial, humiliation, beating, mocking, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The Cross is evidence of just how committed God is to remaining Good, even while providing a means of Mercy to sinful men.
Those of us who trust in Christ, stand forgiven. The Holy requirement of justice against sin is satisfied in Christ Jesus. That is why we esteem the work on the Cross so highly. The Christian has been Adopted into the Household of God, and knows the Love of God.
Some, sadly, will fail to recognize the Goodness of God. Others will deny and excuse their own wickedness. These will see no need to embrace God's mercy.
And yet, God will still be Good.
But consider this: a Good God whose mercy has been scorned has only one other card to play.
Righteous judgment of Evil.
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Christ's head, or yours?
When the time comes to account for your sins, where will the judgment fall?
Jesus said (Luke 12):
4"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
1 comment:
Good foundational word. We get so accustomed to living in an age of grace that we need to be reminded that were it not for the cross, we would all be objects of God's wrath. "And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again"
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