Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit exhorts his readers to "consider the goodness (kindness) of God and severity of God. I believe that every human would do well to heed this warning. The author of Hebrews teaches us in 10:31 that "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!" If you have never read "Sinners in the Hands of an angry God" by Jonathan Edwards, I encourage you to read it...don't read it at night and don't read it when you are alone! I'm not kidding! Edwards text was Deuteronomy 32:35 Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them."
Paul warns that they were broken off, cut off because of unbelief and then issues a warning to each of us...professing children of God.
Romans 11:20-23 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
Below is an excerpt from Edwards sermon
They are now the objects of that very same anger and wrath of God, that is expressed in the torments of hell. And the reason why they do not go down to hell at each moment, is not because God, in whose power they are, is not then very angry with them; as he is with many miserable creatures now tormented in hell, who there feel and bear the fierceness of his wrath. Yea, God is a great deal more angry with great numbers that are now on earth: yea, doubtless, with many that are now in this congregation, who it may be are at ease, than he is with many of those who are now in the flames of hell. So that it is not because God is unmindful of their wickedness, and does not resent it, that he does not let loose his hand and cut them off. God is not altogether such an one as themselves, though they may imagine him to be so. The wrath of God burns against them, their damnation does not slumber; the pit is prepared, the fire is made ready, the furnace is now hot, ready to receive them; the flames do now rage and glow. The glittering sword is whet, and held over them, and the pit hath opened its mouth under them.
Mark, are you trying to scare us? Not anymore than God's Word scares me! Most of what we hear today is that God is love and that is absolutely true, but it is only half of the truth. God is love and HE accepts and receives any and all who come to HIM through Jesus Christ and HE gives them birth from above, makes them new creatures and adopts them as HIS own children. However, a person may live an incredibly moral life and do many wonderful things for people and if they die outside of Jesus they die in their sins and they must bear the punishment for all eternity.
REMEMBER before the warning we got the really good news from Paul in Romans 10! What is it?
Romans 10:9-13 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This is the horrific tragedy for those who fail to consider the severity of God, because this "same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him." As a matter of fact this same God, we learn in 2 Cor 8:9, became poor so that we might become rich in HIM..."For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: although He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich."
Is it a scare tactic to learn that a bridge is out on a foggy evening and after watching, to your horror, two cars filled with people plunge to their death, is it a scare tactic to run back and like a mad man try and stop others from doing the same? Is that a scare tactic or is that compassion and love in action? What would you say of the man that sat by and watched the cars fall one by one?
God is love, but God hates sin and if you die in your sin your will bear HIS indignation and wrath for all eternity. If you think that sounds harsh...let the Spirit of God take you to the foot of the Cross...at the feet of Jesus...God's Son who shed HIS blood for you...the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Mt 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
COME TO JESUS!
love,
m