GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND JUDGMENT

Genesis 6:17-19 says, "I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you. You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you." As we read the story of Noah, we can see the seriousness of sin in God's eyes. Disobedience to His commandments has consequences. No matter how we feel about God's judgment of sin, it does not change how God deals with sin. There are teachings in Christian circles today that focus mainly on God's unconditional love and grace. They will say that God does not bring judgment to those who disobey His commandments because God's love and grace will cover their sins. As a result, there are no consequences when they sin against God. However, the Bible teaches that there are consequences of sin. 

During Noah's time, God used the universal flood to destroy the human race, except Noah and his family. God spared Noah and his family from complete destruction because they followed the ways of God. God provided a rainbow after the universal flood as a promise that God will never again destroy the world through a universal flood. However, when our Lord Jesus returns to this earth the second time, He will bring judgment to sin once again, but this time, He will use fire and brimstone. Anyone who rejects Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be destroyed and thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20). God's judgment of sin does not take away His unconditional love and grace. God unconditionally loves us and is very gracious to us because He provided a way for us not to be judged by our sins through faith in our Lord Jesus. Jesus came to save us from our sins through His death on the cross. People will be judged by God for choosing not to believe in the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. God does not delight in the destruction of sinners, just as He said in Ezekiel 18:23, "Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live."  

God does not tolerate sins in His presence, and that is the reason He provided a way for sinners like us to be forgiven through faith in our Lord Jesus. No matter what we think about how God deals with sin and judgment, He will deal with sin and judgment according to His holy character. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Do I believe that God judges sin? If God judges sin, how should I live my life? How can I avoid God's judgment?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, you are a just and loving God. You judge sin because it is against your holy character. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for my sins so that I can be forgiven. Thank you that those of us who believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior will never experience your judgment over sins. Thank you that we are completely forgiven of our sins, no matter what we have done in the past. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.