I have wondered what people who have never read the Bible think about who the God of the Bible is. I think that’s even a great question for people who do read the Bible. Sometimes, people read the Bible with a biased viewpoint, and that bias can keep them from really knowing who God is. So, I thought I would attempt to remove my bias from the remainder of this blog and tell you about the God of the Bible. You might be shocked at what you might discover, so stay with me.
1. The God of the Bible wants no one to perish. (2 Peter 3:9) The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent. Some people have made comments to me that ask, “Why doesn’t God take those people out, they are so wicked.” My response has been this Verse. God does not want anyone to go to be eternally punished, He wants all to come and take advantage of his promise of John 3:16. For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. This is the God of the Bible … all the paths of the Lord are mercy and faithful. This is who He is in Jesus, and it was Jesus who came to give His life for you on the Cross. He is a compassionate God.
2. The God of the Bible does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked. “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.” (Ezekiel 18:23) Again, the God of the Bible is not interested in destroying wicked people … He is interested in bringing them out of their wickedness to Himself. Even Jesus said, “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” (Luke 5:32) God has a concern for the wicked because without someone telling them about the truth of the Gospel, how will they hear? “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns.” (Isaiah 52:7) God wants all to hear … even the wicked whose deeds would demand the justice of death. He is merciful to waive the sentence of death if they would give their lives to the Lord.
3. The God of the Bible is gracious, compassionate, has great mercy, and good to all. (Psalm 145:8-9) The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all His creation. God’s character is based upon who He is. His nature is rooted in love and mercy, and His ultimate goal is to have people know Him, and it is His compassion that draws people to Himself.
4. The God of the Bible has made promises to us. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:1-3) The promises of God in the Bible gives us hope, and what He promises to us He will fulfill.
5. The God of the Bible offers His forgiveness for our sins. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) The forgiveness of God for the sins we have committed is an everlasting forgiveness. God’s forgiveness comes with a promise of everlasting life.
This is the God of the Bible. What do you think? There is nothing horrible about Him; He is kind and merciful and invites everyone into His Everlasting Kingdom. He never forces anyone to do anything, it up to you to make a choice to know Him. The God of the Bible has pursued us, but he never over powers our choice to come to Him. Take another look at who the God of the Bible is, and I think you will find a God who loves you with a never-ending love.
Challenging the Culture with Truth … Larry Kutzler