© 2014 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)
Most preachers emphasize God’s love which is, in fact, a wonderful reality for which God shall be praised! However, God’s love is not the only reality. Scripture says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19). God’s vengeance is as real as His love!
Even folks who prefer thinking only of God’s love, have at least some recognition that His vengeance is also appropriate. You’ve probably seen individuals, on TV, begging for information by which the murderer of a beloved family member can be “brought to justice.” They often speak of their desire to obtain “closure” through such “justice.”
In His justice, God never gave the Devil and his angels any opportunity for redemption (2 Peter 2:4, Jude 1:6). Most of us are okay with this as well as with any punishment God invokes upon our human enemies. But we all deserve God’s judgment as much as they do (Romans 3:19). No one deserves God’s mercy!
However, God has declared His right to selectively show mercy as a display of His own power and glory. It is His prerogative as God! If God had not done this, none could be saved. “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth” (Romans 9:16-18).
The Lord Jesus, God the Son, died on Calvary’s cross as the substitutionary blood sacrifice, bearing sin’s punishment for all of God’s chosen ones. The effectiveness of His sacrifice is absolutely certain. Jesus said, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out … And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” (John 6:37 & 65).
Has God softened your heart to come to Him for mercy, or will you pursue the path of judgment which you (and I) deserve?
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