Paul M Ethington

God's Terrifying Warning Paul M Ethington

Many have an unscriptural and unbalanced view of God. God is love, yet God is our judge. How wonderful that He should desire to tabernacle (fellowship) with us! As believers our greatest need is to be in relationship with Him. Jesus describes Himself as One who would gather us "as a mother hen gathers her chicks." His promise is that He has gone to prepare a place for us that where He is we may be also. The Bible describes Him as a "jealous God." Our friendship with the world, and especially, our divided worship of other gods, are an anathema to God. While it is impossible to overstate the love of God, we must realize that He is our judge. He gets angry with us although He proves to be so very patient, slow to anger, kind and merciful. He always warns us to repent and restore relationship with Him. If we do not, the biblical pattern seems to be His withdrawal from us, which the Bible describes in various ways such as "hardening our hearts" or "turning us over to self-destruction," and even "sending a deluding influence that we might believe what is false." This possibility should terrify us. Yet, he offers the joy of eternal salvation and is not willing that any should perish.