What's your opinion of God?

“We were by nature deserving of wrath,

but because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions...”

Ephesians 2:3b-5

Not a Popular Topic

Recently in our bible study class, we’ve been considering the topic of Judgment. Judgment isn’t a topic that most preachers and teachers enjoy delivering, or congregations enjoy receiving. 

People think that the topic of Judgment is heavy, and not very up lifting. Actually, I think the topic of judgment may be one of the most inspirational messages in scripture. 

6 Principles of Judgement  

In one of our recent lessons, we considered one of six principles of God’s judgment – impartiality. Paul wrote in Romans 2:11; “For God does not show favoritism.”  In that discussion I asked the class a question that I’ve heard many times – “Do you want God to be fair? 

You’ve probably been asked that question before, which is intended to elicit the response, “No! I want God to be merciful!”  A good Sunday School answer. However, I don’t think it’s the right answer. When I consider the nature and character of God, I believe the correct answer is “Yes!” I want God to be both. 

It Isn't Fair

Fairness has become the battle cry of our society. Anytime we think that something isn’t fair, we see it as inherently wrong or even evil. We have gone from a culture of equal opportunity and “evolved” into a culture that demands an equitable outcome. 

What we don’t understand is that those ideas are mutually exclusive. No one wants their kids to fail. Everyone gets a trophy. This thinking is not only damaging to our approaches to parenting and leading, but it also spills over to our understanding of God.      

The Wrong Opinion of God

Psalms 92:8 tells us that “God is fair and just...”  It also says in Ephesians 2:3b-5 that, “we were by nature deserving of wrath, but because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…”

Many unbelievers have the wrong opinion of God, and we have a great opportunity to set the record straight. Yes, God will judge mankind. He must, because of his just nature. 

However, God is also loving and merciful. Justice demands a fair and just accounting because “we were by nature deserving of wrath.”  BUT "…because of His great love for us…” Jesus fixed it. He paid the bill and cleared our debt, and when he did, he was BOTH fair and merciful.   

So when you think about it, the real message about judgment can be pretty awesome, when we tell it right!    

Larry Martin

MD5 Facilitator