Lesson 5
The Nature of God
Man has a sin problem, but God has the solution and the
answer. God is a loving God. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but
have everlasting life". God is truly a loving God to give His only
begotten Son to die for us. That is the ultimate of love. Nothing could be
greater.
Not only is the Lord loving, but
He is also just.
Jesus
says in John 5:30 (KJV), "I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear,
I judge; and my judgment is just".
Yes, when we stand before
the Lord on the Day of Judgment, he will be just. But justice demands that
the guilty be punished. Let me give you an example. Just suppose I went out and
robbed a bank, and was caught. Also suppose that the judge and I were good
friends. So the judge calls me up to his bench and whispers to me that he
doesn’t want to send me to prison for twenty years. He tells me, that if
I will quietly walk out the back door, he will tear up all the
paperwork, nothing will be said, and I can go free. Would he be a just
judge? No way. But God is a just God, and can be no less.
Not only is God a loving and
just God, but the Bible speaks of God as a vengeful God. In Hebrews
10:30-31 we read, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay,
says the Lord. And again, the Lord will judge his people. It is a
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God".
Most
people like to think of God as only a loving God, and nothing else; but
this is not true. On the Day of Judgment, the majority of people will find
out just how fearful it is to fall into the hands of the living God.
Why did Jesus have to die?
Because God is not only a loving God but he is also just.
Justice demands punishment for the guilty. God has specified in the
Bible how He will erase anyone’s guilt.
But we must obey God’s instructions.
Those who continue to be guilty are those who have not obeyed what
God has said.
At the end of time when Christ comes back 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
says that He will come “In flaming fire taking
vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”
Questions Lesson 5
The Nature of God
(click on the button of the answer of your
choice)
1) (John 3:16) God so loved the world that
He will not punish anyone.
He gave His Son to die for us.
He will allow everyone to go to Heaven.
2)
God does not love mankind.
3) (Hebrews 10:30) Vengeance belongs to
God.
Man.
Those who are wronged.
4)
God
will punish those who die in their sins.
5) (Hebrews 10:31) To fall into the hands of the living God is
A comforting thing.
A good thing.
A fearful thing.
6)
God
is too loving to punish anyone.
7) (John 5:30) The judgment of Christ
Will be just.
Can be appealed.
Is not always right.
8)
Justice
demands that the guilty be punished.
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