God

The apostle Paul said in Romans 11:22, “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God. . .” This statement obviously divides itself into two parts: (1) The goodness of God; and (2) The severity of God. These two great attributes of God will serve as the basis for our study in this article.

First, The Goodness of God. Where would we be without the goodness of God? We know from II Peter 3:9 that God “. . . is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Paul said that God “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:4). God greatly desires our salvation and sent his Son to make it possible. The most famous verse of all says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Paul exclaimed in II Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” Yes, God’s goodness is marvelous. We are told in Nehemiah 9:17, “. . . thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness . . .” It’s my prayer that the goodness of God will lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4).

Second, The Severity of God. Yes, there is a very severe side to God. Paul said in II Corinthians 5:10-11, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men . . .” We are also told in Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” And then, Hebrews 12:29 says, “. . . our God is a consuming fire.” Yes, God will severely punish the disobedient. Jesus said, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment . . .” (Matthew 25:46). It is my prayer that we will love and obey and thus escape the severity of God.

I hope all of us will be careful to maintain the proper balance about the goodness and severity of God. Sometimes, we are guilty of overemphasizing one or the other. Both exist; may we respond properly to them.

Ken Tyler