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Posted by The True Light @ https://thetruelight2014.wordpress.com/

Original post @ https://thetruelight2014.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/understanding-gods-complete-nature/

Understanding God’s Complete Nature…

Posted on April 24, 2015 by The True Light!

(2 Peter 3:9)

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

(Romans 1:18)

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…”

In today’s society, some Christian teachers and preachers seem to be taking a different tact with their instruction methods. The feeling is that “bible thumping” others with lessons on hellfire and damnation isn’t well received by most people, and understandably so.

Such aggressiveness can be perceived as “judgmental,” and may “turn off” and chase away more folks than it convicts. Indeed that might well be true, and may have always been the case…

Therefore, we center our messages on the love of God, and the mercy and grace He has for all people. Certainly that is an accurate representation of our Lord’s nature. However, there is a caution we must take if that becomes the sole theme of our evangelistic efforts.

In am prompted to these comments by a Christian post I came across yesterday. The topic was on how our Lord looks upon homosexuality. As I began to read, red flags popped up everywhere!

The assumed intent of this writer was to take a “kinder, gentler” approach to the idea of same-sex relationships. He may have even been suggesting that perhaps Jesus has a more understanding attitude toward this practice. Again, the desired effect seemed to be that a more modern-day discussion may find a more receptive audience.

Dear friends, despite all else, we must understand this irrefutable truth. Sexual sins of every kind are an abomination unto the Lord our God…and they always will be! To imply anything to the contrary is to do a great disservice to the student and the Teacher.

The Father has the same desires and laws for His children as He has always had. We may change our attitudes toward new trends in society, but our Lord certainly does not, (see Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6). And because of this fact, we must include such information about Him to all others we instruct in the word.

The full nature of God involves just as much wrath and judgment against the sinner as love and grace for the saint. Consider the words of (2 Corinthians 5:10) which says:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.“

And again, in (Job 34:11), where He says:

“He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves.”

It is with a touch of sorrow that I write this post to you today. But in my estimation, understanding the fullness of our Lord’s inherent qualities leads to Christian maturity. And because part of our service to God is to help develop the best servants of the Lord we can, this kind of understanding must be reached!

The Father will greatly reward those who choose to follow Him. He will lavish the faithful with His gift of grace to cover all of our sins. That is our hope, and our guarantee in Him. But He will not force anyone to follow Him. For those who elect to love the world rather than love the word, sadly a great day of reckoning awaits, and many will perish despite the Lord’s efforts to avoid this end.

So, do not be fooled into following the things which the evil one puts before you. Stand firm in the Lord’s way and walk in the Light of His word. It was for this cause that Jesus Christ went to the cross for us! Let us believe in our Savior and trust His cleansing blood, for this pleases the Father and benefits us greatly!

Church of Christ

“The belonging place…”