Is God brutal?

All photos courtesy of Unsplash

Many people today think that God was brutal and ugly in the Old Testament and that thankfully, Jesus arrived on the scene in the New Testament to rescue His reputation. Getting our attitudes about God straight is very important. It is tough to love and follow a ruthless God with His power and abuse in His relationships. It is bad enough that some people have dads like that, let alone a Father in heaven who perpetuates the problem.

So, here is the good news. Take a deep breath. We do not need to feel that way about God anymore! When the real God stands up in the Old Testament, His actions and attitudes consistently exhibit an unusual depth of grace in the face of deep offences against Him and His law.

Minister of World Affairs - Lord Jesus Christ - Ephesians 1:9,10

For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God - 1 Peter 3:18

Today's Scripture

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him

Ephesians 1:9,10

Explanation

In the New Testament the word 'mystery' is used differently to the way it is used today. Today we mean something that has to be solved, we need to work it out and we need an answer. In the days of the Bible it meant that problem had been solved, the secret was out. If you knew what the mystery was you were 'in', initiated and part of a select group. The word is used like this in Ephesians 3:7 - 'which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets'. It was once a secret but now it's out in the open.

God's will is out in the open. One aspect of his will is to bring to completion every strand of world affairs and events. The Lord Jesus will be managing the whole process and everything will be under his authority.

The world was created by the Lord Jesus and for His pleasure. Sin and evil came in, brought death, and distanced us from God. 

God sent His Son, Jesus, in person 'not to condemn the world' but that through him we might be saved (John 3:17). 

The Lord Jesus is acting as Saviour today, when he comes again he will come in the capacity of Judge (Acts 17:31) and executor of the all purposes of God.

Will you be ready?

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

  

The Blogger's Daily Diary - Thursday

So it's Thursday. 

How has your day been? Good, bad or nothing much happened. 

I had a good morning and cleared up a lot of Internet and radio work. I love doing this as it gives me the opportunity to share the wonderful news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Today was 'video recording day'. I did a piece on Adam and God. It is part of a series called 'Meet & Greet' where I am talking about different people and their encounters in the Bible. 

I had already recorded one called 'Meet & Greet - The first man to meet God', but this one was entitled 'Meet & Greet - Adam meets God - Troubles' a brewing'. It about the reaction of God to Adam's sin and Adam's reaction when he realises that God is in garden calling out for him. 

You know what it feels like when you have done something wrong! You feel guilty, apprehensive and unsure of quite what the consequences will be. Adam felt like that but he should have known as God had warned him that the day he ate of the forbidden fruit he would die. No surprises; God had spelled it out. Walk my way you live, disobey and it will cause you to face death. 

Things haven't really changed!

The wages of sin is still death but thank God, as a result of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the gift of God is external life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Be warned and be saved - it's the only way.