Life Here and There

This may sound like the question of a child, but it’s a question that is on the hearts of millions of adults. I don’t understand God’s ways – they are above mine, so I don’t presume to have all the answers. But thankfully Jesus once addressed a group of people who had a similar accusation, so I wanted to record my thoughts about this big question.

Here’s a YouTube Link to Did An Earthquake Happen Because God Was Mad?

Many are likely to disagree with me one way or another. Please feel free to do so in the comments, but I would ask that you remain particularly sensitive as so many have lost loved ones in this terrible disaster.

And while we’re at it, you must read Al Mohler’s post from last night, Does God Hate Haiti? as well as Brad Harmon’s post, Where Was God When Haiti Shook?

What’s the worst thing that can happen to anyone? Ask most people, and the answer will have something to do with loss, illness, or death. Perhaps someone might answer that the worst thing would be for a person to die without a relationship with Christ and spend eternity in hell. Yes, but I actually think the answer is slightly more complex. Here’s my assertion:

The worst thing that can happen to anyone is to follow their own desire, refusing God’s intervention.

I know this may sound confusing, but think about it. Scripture teaches plainly (in Romans 3:10-23) that nobody naturally desires the things God would have in mind for us. We, instead, desire things that seem good to us at the time, but are really counterfeits for the best thing – an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ.

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Like math? An integer is a whole number, right? Our word integrity comes from the same root as the word integer. Integrity is really the concept of being whole, of being one, or of being the same all the time. D. L. Moody said that character is who we are in the dark.

Integrity is the foundation for our relationships as well as our reputation. Much is at stake every time we make another moral choice. Do what is right and it will probably cost you. Do what is wrong and it will most likely cost you far more.

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As Isaiah put it, God’s ways are above our ways, and His thoughts are above our thoughts. He is holy, transcendent, distinct, and set apart from us. And He is, as Noah put it, the “Judge of all the earth,” and He will “do right.”

But we often answer wrongly on His behalf. Let me say that I don’t have all the answers, and I don’t always explain things well. As a Pastor, I always like to think I have an answer, which sometimes prevents me from being honest enough to say, “I don’t have a clue why God has decided this, but He is right.”

Here are some reasons why God’s judgment is such a tough subject…

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Jonathan Edwards preached his sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God on at least two occasions and used a verse as his text from which I preached this morning. I wanted to go back and revisit it since I mentioned it in my message, and even wanted to read excerpts. You can read a full manuscript here and some history about Edwards and his message here.

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From the Series JOURNEY THROUGH THE WORD: The Book of Numbers

Based on Numbers 15-18

ONE GREAT TRUTH: The whole human race is lost, wandering apart from God, as the consequence of sin, but God is on a search and rescue mission for all of us!

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Today was kind of tough… for Momma anyway. We saw our little girl “walk the line” to graduate from Preschool. The theme was What A Wonderful World, which all nineteen graduates sang together. They actually played Pomp and Circumstance as they marched in. She got a diploma and an award for Developing the Most in Confidence throughout the year. We’re so proud!

Angie handles moments like these with a mothering sadness. Her little girl will never graduate from Preschool again. I, on the other hand, handle things a bit differently. While Mamma shed a few tears, I was frustrated that the camera wasn’t working quite right. For me, it’s just one more step toward adulthood, which is the goal. I know that the time will fly and I’ll be crying at her wedding far too soon. Nevertheless, I tend to look forward to each next occasion while Angie wants to hang on to her little girl.

One thing I know, I’m going to enjoy another graduation someday. I’m not referring to Ella’s High School graduation, though I know I’ll enjoy that too, but the day I “walk the line” at the judgment seat of Christ. On the one hand, I view that day with trepidation – there is so much more to be done here in this life. On the other hand, I can’t wait for the eternal reward God has promised to all who place their faith squarely in Him alone.

Our little baby is all grown up… or at least about to head for kindergarten, but I feel that we have so much work to do. If she’s out of the house by eighteen, then we only have fourteen more years to prepare her heart to be forever sensitive to the Savior’s voice. We want to pray her into the family of God, model a genuine love for Jesus, and watch as she surrenders herself to His will daily. May God so prepare us for our graduation day!

“The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” -Matthew 13:41-43

Jesus is the gentle, compassionate Lamb of God. Angels are those cute little winged cherubs we have displayed on water fountains. But the picture Jesus gives of Himself and His angels is all together different than that to which we are accustomed. We suddenly see a sovereign Jesus, commanding his angels to gather people to judgment and to cast them into the fire for all eternity.

We need to see Jesus in this light, for we need to understand that His ultimate concern is that the holiness and righteousness of God is vindicated for all time. All that offends will be destroyed, all sin will be judged. All iniquity will be eradicated at the throne of God. Thankfully, for believers, their sins have already been judged on the cross, but for most of the world, sin will be punished in an eternal flame. Why? So that the righteous (those made righteous by the blood of Jesus) may shine forth, unhindered by darkness forever.

We must learn to love the righteousness and holiness of God as much as Jesus does. We must hunger for God’s nature and name to be vindicated. At this moment, He is being blasphemed, forgotten, pushed under the rug while men do their evil biddings. But someday He will have the last laugh (literally, read Psalm 2). At last every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. All of mankind will acknowledge Him as Lord in that day. In fact, we should get started now!

“As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the Lord alone did lead him,… To me belongeth vengeance and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.” -Deuteronomy 32:11-12, 35

Isn’t it amazing that God can be both the mother eagle, caring for her young, and also the awesome God who takes vengeance on those who reject Him at the same time? It isn’t in our natures to be like God, so it’s difficult to understand, but notice that in the very same chapter of the Bible there is a picture of God as Provider as well as a picture of God as Destroyer. The first passage describes Him in His tender care for Israel. The second passage was the text of Jonathan Edwards’ famous sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.

This is our God. He’s the One who knew us before the foundation of the world, set His affection upon us, brought us into the world, provides for our needs, protects us from the enemy, grows us spiritually, and secures us in Christ for all eternity. But He’s also the One who cannot leave sin unpunished, created a lake of fire for those who sin against Him, and who will someday sit upon a throne in final judgment. If I’m His child, He’s my caregiver. If I’m His enemy, He’s my ultimate Judge.

What is God to you? Your Father? Your caregiver? Or is He your Judge, the One who will take vengeance on your life? He has a right to punish our sin, so He did so in Jesus for all who will look to Him for salvation. Look to Him today, and live!

“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways…”—Ezekiel 33:11

God is so holy and so just that He must remain eternally separate from anyone who falls short of His perfection. In fact, as the Creator who gave us live and who spells out His rules through nature, conscience, and Scripture, only to have His creatures break His rules, God certainly has every right to destroy us now, today, without delay. His holiness and justice demand it! But He tarries. Why?

God must punish sin, and He will, but He’s delaying that imminent punishment so that all men may have opportunity to repent and come to faith in His Son. It’s a part of the “common grace” that He bestows on all people. All of us are lost and deserve nothing but hell, but God loves us all and wants to give all of us the opportunity to be saved. The next time you question His right to judge the world, remember His patience, His sacrifice, and His beyond-the-call-of-duty efforts to get the message of Jesus out to all the world through the Bible and His people. He tarries for you and me!