The ideas people have of God's character or nature are commonly not based on the revelation of scripture but their own faulty assumptions or reasoning. People imagine God to be a certain way based upon short quotes (without context) or observation of others who claim to know him. Do you think you could possibly "know" a musician by learning the lyrics to their songs? Can you become intimately acquainted with a politician based upon a short television interview, sound bites or an advertisement? The truth is, a lot of people who enshrine misconceptions of God actually "know" musicians and politicians (they do not know!) far better than they know God.
God is not whoever man imagines him to be. Many have constructed a "god" in their own minds which is not God, an imaginary being of whom they approve, blame or hate based upon blind ignorance. Being God, He is not subject to our judgments or self-centred bias. God has revealed Himself through the Bible, God's word, and God became flesh and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus Christ. All of nature reveals and proclaims the undimmed glory of God, while man often worships creation over the creator. Man in his folly sets up idols for himself which "will not totter" (Is. 40:20) and are well pleased to slide a little cardboard under the leg to prop up their misplaced affections--rather than repent, trust and obey the living God.
One thing consistent in God's character revealed in scripture is He does not threaten: He tells man how it is. Man often views a warning as a threat, but they could not be more different. Let's say you are teaching someone to drive a car. You warn him if he follows cars too closely, he runs the risk of rear-ending other vehicles and causing an accident. Imagine if the student's head whipped around, and with narrowed eyes asked, "Is that a threat?" How ridiculous! It is not a threat to explain what is the eventual certainty of taking the risk of following another car too close. What if you saw a young child (not your own) playing dangerously near a fire while camping and felt you should say something? "Careful now," you call out as you see the flames reaching out to lick the clothing of the clueless lad. "If you play near that fire, you could be burned!" This is not a threat but a loving response in the face of danger. Not being your child, the young one might cry or run away because they did not understand your motive. Such is often the case when unbelievers hear God's Word, for they interpret warnings as threats.
The scriptures say with absolute authority: "The soul that sins will surely die" (Eze. 18:20). God never threatens a man with death for his disobedience. The fact is, all human beings are sinners who will die because of our sin. We are already doomed to destruction because of our disobedience, and our souls are headed to hell! As certain as the law of gravity has an impact on life on earth, so the law of sin and death means we are already facing judgment and eternal damnation. Punishment in hell is not a threat to manipulate those God wants to control: God warns us because it is already a reality. He is not willing that any should perish but that all would repent and receive eternal life by faith in Him, for the death of the wicked provides God no pleasure. The reality of death and eternal separation from God is true concerning all people and even nations. This morning I read in Jeremiah 12:17, "But if they do not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation," says the LORD." This is not a threat but the effect of sin on a people that walk in disobedience and disregard of God. It has been proved true again and again with all nations, including Israel. Still God shows compassion to those once disobedient, and graciously restores all who place their trust in Him.
Consider the example of Jesus Christ, supremely consistent with the character of the Father in 1 Peter 2:20-25: "For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." Jesus had all power and authority in heaven and earth granted to Him, yet did not threaten (verse 23). He did not threaten those who skewered Him with punishment nor threaten to withhold forgiveness or the Gospel. Jesus committed Himself and all His pain and suffering to the Father in heaven who judges righteously. Eventually all those who hate Jesus will receive their wages, and the wages of sin is death.
Do you feel threatened by the warnings of God? Ezekiel 33:11 conveys the heart of the God who seeks to save the lost: "Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'"
God is not whoever man imagines him to be. Many have constructed a "god" in their own minds which is not God, an imaginary being of whom they approve, blame or hate based upon blind ignorance. Being God, He is not subject to our judgments or self-centred bias. God has revealed Himself through the Bible, God's word, and God became flesh and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus Christ. All of nature reveals and proclaims the undimmed glory of God, while man often worships creation over the creator. Man in his folly sets up idols for himself which "will not totter" (Is. 40:20) and are well pleased to slide a little cardboard under the leg to prop up their misplaced affections--rather than repent, trust and obey the living God.
One thing consistent in God's character revealed in scripture is He does not threaten: He tells man how it is. Man often views a warning as a threat, but they could not be more different. Let's say you are teaching someone to drive a car. You warn him if he follows cars too closely, he runs the risk of rear-ending other vehicles and causing an accident. Imagine if the student's head whipped around, and with narrowed eyes asked, "Is that a threat?" How ridiculous! It is not a threat to explain what is the eventual certainty of taking the risk of following another car too close. What if you saw a young child (not your own) playing dangerously near a fire while camping and felt you should say something? "Careful now," you call out as you see the flames reaching out to lick the clothing of the clueless lad. "If you play near that fire, you could be burned!" This is not a threat but a loving response in the face of danger. Not being your child, the young one might cry or run away because they did not understand your motive. Such is often the case when unbelievers hear God's Word, for they interpret warnings as threats.
The scriptures say with absolute authority: "The soul that sins will surely die" (Eze. 18:20). God never threatens a man with death for his disobedience. The fact is, all human beings are sinners who will die because of our sin. We are already doomed to destruction because of our disobedience, and our souls are headed to hell! As certain as the law of gravity has an impact on life on earth, so the law of sin and death means we are already facing judgment and eternal damnation. Punishment in hell is not a threat to manipulate those God wants to control: God warns us because it is already a reality. He is not willing that any should perish but that all would repent and receive eternal life by faith in Him, for the death of the wicked provides God no pleasure. The reality of death and eternal separation from God is true concerning all people and even nations. This morning I read in Jeremiah 12:17, "But if they do not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation," says the LORD." This is not a threat but the effect of sin on a people that walk in disobedience and disregard of God. It has been proved true again and again with all nations, including Israel. Still God shows compassion to those once disobedient, and graciously restores all who place their trust in Him.
Consider the example of Jesus Christ, supremely consistent with the character of the Father in 1 Peter 2:20-25: "For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." Jesus had all power and authority in heaven and earth granted to Him, yet did not threaten (verse 23). He did not threaten those who skewered Him with punishment nor threaten to withhold forgiveness or the Gospel. Jesus committed Himself and all His pain and suffering to the Father in heaven who judges righteously. Eventually all those who hate Jesus will receive their wages, and the wages of sin is death.
Do you feel threatened by the warnings of God? Ezekiel 33:11 conveys the heart of the God who seeks to save the lost: "Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'"
This is entirely your opinion of your relationship with God I believe, yes entirely your opinion though we tend to have a common ground from scriptures. God can threaten to kill as a result of once disobedience exd22:24.and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless this is the phrase I got that day, "I will kill you". I heard that while in my former place of stewardship when the lord wanted me to move to another city but I was adamant.
ReplyDeleteHello Anonymous! The 1 Peter 2:23 passage says explicitly Jesus did not threaten, and because He is God we can have confidence in this consistency with His character. The point is God does not threaten like we do, saying something to influence people to do something we have no intention or power to do. When God says He will do something, He will do it. It is only a matter of time. Thanks for weighing in and God bless! :)
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