Have you ever noticed the plethora of people who say that God is just so full of love and warm feelings and so very like Santa Claus...and "I could never believe in an angry and wrathful God?"
Sometimes it's surprising...especially when they are wearing a little cross around their neck.
Why? Well, the CROSS is that place where God's love and wrath meet. There's no better pictorial reminder of God's love for the WORLD...that He sent His ONLY SON to die as the just payment for our SIN. The debt had to be paid...and was...Praise Him for His mercy! AND, He's RISEN...a blank, bare cross...He's alive and preparing a place in heaven for us!
I'm going to take my life in my hands and constructively criticize a pretty popular song on the christian radio right now...really pretty melody but sort of wrong. It has a phrase that says, "in that moment...Every knee will bow, every tongue confess that God is love and love has come for us all." Um, when every knee bows it's going to be because of HIS WRATH on the earth. Everything polluted by sin will be destroyed by God's judgment. Is. 24:3, "The earth will be completely laid waste and completely despoiled, for the LORD has spoken this word."
Now, at this point my sinfulness would like to get all hoity-toity and say something like, "Well, for some dirty rotten nations and people (especially so and so) that's what it's gonna take. God has to be hard on them. Zap 'em Lord!" But, then I look inward...and see how much I have to be thankful for...how I'm just a dirty rotten sinner...saved by God's marvelous grace. I'm ashamed to think of how often I take God's mercy and blessings for granted.
God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Ever heard that acronym for GRACE? Right on, isn't it?
So, how does understanding God's wrath make you appreciate your salvation? How does it help you explain God's GRACE to those around you...those in desperate need of a Savior?
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.
I also linked in with GOOD MORNING GIRLS today!
6 comments:
Oh I just saw the puppy.......awwwwwwwww cute
now back to WFW if I can take my eyes off a cute puppy.
You are so correct that there must always be balance between God's love and His judgment.
And it is only on the cross that these too meet and are satisfied...Jesus is the only way, despite all the tripe on Oprah and others of love will do it all. Phutt.
I'm always thankful for God's Grace. It truly is God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Now I'll take it with me when I think of the favor He has on my life. It makes it so much more valuable to me.
You know Bobbi...we just don't take that wrath seriously enough do we...read a little Ezekiel this week and man, God can and has gotten angry...
wise words friend...it's all about OBEDIENCE isn't it..and belief, belief that HE is who HE says HE is...
awesome Word...
peace,
lori
Well said, Bobbi. So often Christians sidestep the sin problem. One of the major messages of the Bible is God's coming judgment. But praise God, by His grace we are "saved" from his coming wrath.
Thanks for brightening my day with His Word. ღ
Well written...so many sing of amazing grace without realizing the true extent....
Your photo reminds me of where we used to live. We always had a lot of snow at Christmas. A group of people trekked up the mountain on snowhoes or skis, with a snow sled lugging a cross and generator. They would light the cross, and it could be seen for miles. So beautiful! Have a blessed Advent season.
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