A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Kindness & Sternness"

 I was sitting in my study with the couple. They had come to me to discuss their situation. As we talked it became increasingly clear that they were living outside of God's will. I consistently referred them to Scripture and was attempting to compassionately reveal to them God's directives and requirements. The couple's frustration level was increasing and our time together was becoming more and more emotionally charged. Finally in exasperation the young woman blurted out; "Look! I may not know much about the Bible but I do know God AND HE wants ME to be HAPPY!"

This young woman is not alone in this view of God. Her statement was incorrect on several accounts. Most obvious is that God cannot be known apart from His self-revelation contained in Scripture. Secondly, the God of Scripture does not want to make us happy. He wants to make us holy. Lastly, her statement reveals an unbalanced view of God. This view of God is not entirely her fault, because there has been a tremendous overemphasis of the loving side of God in this generation of the Church.  This is not a new problem. Throughout history the church seems to emphasize a particular part of God's nature and attributes. We struggle so much with maintaining the balance revealed in Scripture.

In Romans 11:22 Paul addresses this very subject. He calls us to "consider therefore the kindness and the sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided you continue in His kindness." We do not like to face the sternness of God. We think it is opposed to His love. But it is not. In God, Who is Holy Love, love and justice find their perfect expression. One demands the other. If love overlooked sin there would be no justice. And if there is justice without love there is no salvation. If God were not both love (kind) and just (stern) there would have been no need for the cross. In the cross
of Christ God's love and justice are fully revealed and fulfilled.

It is imperative that we maintain a proper balance, understanding God as He has revealed Himself in His Word - in Christ Jesus. Not keeping a balanced understanding of His love and justice leads to irresponsible living. To emphasize God's love over His justice leads to a cheap grace that presumes upon God and His mercy with sinful living.  To emphasize His justice over His love leads to a legalistic works-righteousness that cannot experience God's love and leaves us with no assurance of salvation. Neither of these is God's will for His people and are not the holy life He intends us to live.

Consider, therefore, God's kindness and sternness. Doing so brings us to the cross of Christ where by grace through faith God's love and justice are applied to our lives. Here we are freed from sin and its penalty through the provisions of the cross. Here we are empowered by the Holy Spirit for responsible holy living, always cognizant of the kindness and sternness, love and justice of God.

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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