This is article #9 of Observations Gleaned from the Scriptures by JaneEllen. Click the link below to read her previous articles.
Some Things the Bible Says About God
In Genesis 1:27, we are told “So God created man in His image…male and female He created them.” Because God is our Creator, He can tell us what to do. Some people think of God as a cross between Santa Claus and a sweet natured grandfather. They think because He created all things good, He would never let anything bad happen to us. We forget that in a relationship, we also have a responsibility. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Let’s see some things that the Bible says about God.
Romans 11:22 – Behold the goodness and severity of God.
Isaiah 30:18 – For the Lord is a God of justice.
Acts 10:34 – God shows no partiality.
So according to these verses, God is good, severe, just and shows no partiality.
God is good to those who obey what He tells them to do, and severe to those who do not obey what He tells them to do. Because He is just and not partial, whether He is good or severe depends on us. (Our responsibility in this relationship). Romans 2:11
God is not willing that any should perish, but whether we perish or are saved depends on what we do. (Our responsibility in this relationship). 2 Peter 3:9
Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death. When we sin (don’t do what God says for us to do), we deserve to die.
So God is just and impartial. When we sin, we deserve to die and God will punish us for not doing what He says. This is our fault not God’s.
Fortunately for us, God is not only just; He is loving. Romans 5:8-9 – but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us…much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. In Him [Jesus] we have redemption the forgiveness of trespasses [sins]. [Brackets mine].
How do we know what God wants us to do? The Bible is God’s rule book. We have to know what it says in order to know what He wants us to do. We have to read it so we will know what it says.
So when we read the Bible, we find out what God wants us to do.
In Romans 6:23, we learned that when we sin we deserve to die. What sins are worthy of death?
James 2:10-11 tells us that God considers all sins as equal. We are the ones who categorize sin: little, big, black, white, etc. We think of murder and adultery as sin, but we might not think of the following as sin:
- Saying unkind words – Matthew 12:36
- Troublesome meddler – 1 Peter 4:15
- Be hospitable without complaint – 1 Peter 4:9
- Grumbling – 1 Corinthians 10:10, James 5:9
- Lying – Colossians 3:9
- Stealing – Ephesians 4:28
So when we don’t do what God says to do, we sin and deserve death. This is our fault not God’s.
That statement would be totally scary and/or depressing except for one thing. God loves us and sent His Son Jesus to die instead of us. When Jesus died on the cross, He died so we don’t have to die for our own sins.
What a relief! What love! How can I show God I love Him right back?
John 14:15 – If you love Me, keep My commandments. The only way we can show God we love Him is to do what He tells us to do.
Well, I know I haven’t kept His commandments so I have sinned. How do I get forgiveness for not keeping His commandments? Another way to ask this is “What must we do to be saved?” In Acts 2:37, we have already read what Peter told the people to do: repent and be baptized.
So we are saved because Jesus died for us. But Peter said in Acts 2:38 that we are saved when we are baptized.
So we have to be baptized to take advantage of this salvation. God provides salvation for us. We still have to do something to get this promised blessing of salvation. (Our responsibility in this relationship).
God is fulfilling His part in our relationship. Are we?
Until next time, I remain with a song in my heart. JaneEllen