The Condemning God Error

One excuse, for that's what it is, which non believers give for rejecting Christ is that God seems to only condemn people. They think all he does is find fault. Some militant atheists have even called God a child abuser because he supposedly forced his son to die a horrible death.

I feel confident that such people have never studied the Bible and recognize that all texts need to be read in context. Scripture is filled with metaphors, similes, allusions, hyperbole, and other literary devices.

And it's a sad fact that most professing Christians don't read the scriptures. They rely on devotionals rather than studying the sixty-six books for themselves.

So, what can we say about all those Old Testament verses regarding God wiping out nations and commanding Israelites to commit genocide? According to the totality of the Bible, God wants to forgive people. Look at what Micah 7:18 (KJV) says about Israel and, by extension, us. "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy."

Whenever God did punish people, he had a valid reason for doing so. Exodus 15:7 (KJV) is one of many verses which shows the Lord's retribution to wicked people who won't relent. "And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble."

Jesus also explained how God, and all of heaven, feels about those who come to their senses and ask his forgiveness. Luke 15:7 (KJV) says, "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."

Truth be told, it's God who has been treated with unfair and harsh anger by puny humanity. He could have destroyed Adam and Eve for breaking the only rule he gave them. Instead, he showed compassion by promising a deliverer. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:22 (KJV), "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

But unrepentant people think they need no deliverer. In fact, they dare to judge God. Jesus was even criticized for reaching out with love toward sinners. Matthew 11:19 (KJV) quotes his answer to the Pharisees who condemned him. "The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber,' a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children."

It's for people who ignorantly criticize Christianity that I'm working on my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? My hope is that I can give reasonable answers to skeptics as well as to Christians who need something to say to doubters.

On Saturday, I'll post about unsolicited offers to earn money and how false they are. Only the initiators get rich in those schemes.

What makes God Angry?

This month, I'll address the topic of God's nature. Many people have formed the false image of our creator as a narcissistic and petulant deity. Nothing could be further from the truth, as the Bible aptly demonstrates.

God's wrath is always righteous, particularly  against enemies of his people. Exodus 15:7 (KJV) says, "And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble."

God loves his people so much that he punishes those who harm them. The word "jealous," misunderstood by Opra and other less-famous celebrities, means a strong desire to protect. Nahum 1:2 (KJV)states,  "God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies."

Additionally, God hates mockers of his messengers. Israel did that and, though he chose to bless and work through that nation, he punished them for their disobedience many times. Look at what is written in 2 Chronicles 36:16 (KJV). "But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy."

God also opposes rebellion, which is a virulent form of disobedience. Deuteronomy 9:7 (KJV) reads, "Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD."

God hates falsehoods told about himself too. Job 42:7 (KJV) clearly proclaims, "And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath."

Additionally, and unlike in most belief systems, vengeance belongs to God and not us. Romans 12:19 (KJV)proves that.  "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

I could write so much more on this topic alone. Instead, I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Because of false notions, people use God's righteous anger as an excuse to reject him. How I wish those folks would get a clue and realize that the Lord has every right to be upset at humanity's disrespectful intransigence.