Countless times over the years, being raised going to church and associated with the ‘Christian’ community, I have heard the statement, “I couldn’t serve a God who ______ (allows child abuse, wars, genocide, hunger, etc.).” In essence, the person making this statement is asserting that they are more benevolent than God. They don’t consider “…that the whole world lies in the power of the Evil One” (I John 5:19). Evil and corruption has permeated every sector of society; governments, business, religion.
There is only one place where evil has no standing – a personal relationship with God. “We know that everyone who has God as his Father does not go on sinning; on the contrary, the Son born of God protects him, and the Evil One does not touch him.” (I John 5:18) “For the scepter of wickedness will not rule the inheritance of the righteous, so that the righteous will not themselves turn their hands to evil.” (Psalms 125:3)
Often times our concept of God is of him being furious, harsh or gruff, even though we say he is a loving God. He will indeed unleash his fury, but even then people will not turn from sin, as described in Revelation following a catastrophe. “For the power of the horses was in their mouths – and also in their tails, for their tails were like snakes with heads, and with them they could cause injury. The rest of mankind, those who were not killed by these plagues, even then did not turn from what they had made with their own hands – they did not stop worshipping demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.” (Revelation 9:19-20)
But destruction is not what God wants. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some people think of slowness; on the contrary, he is patient with you; for it is not his purpose that anyone should be destroyed, but that everyone should turn from his sins.” (II Peter 3:9) “Now what if God, even though he was quite willing to demonstrate his anger and make known his power, patiently put up with people who deserved punishment and were ripe for destruction? What if he did this in order to make known the riches of his glory to those who are the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory –” (Romans 9:22-23)
Maybe it’s time to cultivate another image of God; one of kindness and compassion, grace and truth, and righteousness. As Zechariah noted, “The Lord replied with kind, comforting words to the angel who talked with me.” (Zechariah 1:13, Tanakh) “Who is a God like You, forgiving iniquity and remitting transgression; Who has not maintained His wrath forever against the remnant of His own people, because He loves graciousness!” (Micah 7:18, Tanakh)
God demonstrates his grace, compassion and kindness through his Son. “But God is so rich in mercy and loves us with such intense love that, even when we were dead because of our acts of disobedience, he brought us to life along with the Messiah – it is by grace that you have been delivered. That is, God raised us up with the Messiah Yeshua and seated us with him in heaven, in order to exhibit in the ages to come how infinitely rich is his grace, how great is his kindness toward us who are united with the Messiah Yeshua.” (Ephesians 2:4-7)
God will set up his throne “…in which righteousness will be at home” (II Peter 3:13). As David prophesied, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; grace and truth attend you.” (Psalms 89:15 (14)) And God will prepare a people for himself. “And I will espouse you forever: I will espouse you with righteousness and justice, and with goodness and mercy, and I will espouse you with faithfulness; Then you shall be devoted to the Lord.” (Hosea 2:21-22 (19-20), Tanakh) A note in the Tanakh that accompanies this verse states, “As the bride-price which the bridegroom will pay, He will confer these qualities on her, so that she will never offend again.” The result: “The effect of righteousness will be peace; the result of righteousness, quiet trust forever.” (Isaiah 32:17)
So, how are we able to partake of the grace and righteousness to come? “When you call Me, and come and pray to Me, I will give heed to you. You will search for Me and find Me, if only you seek Me wholeheartedly.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13, Tanakh) “Those who love me I love, and those who seek me will find me.” (Proverbs 8:17, Tanakh) Past sins do not preclude any of us from receiving grace. Paul declared, “So here is a statement you can trust, one that fully deserves to be accepted: the Messiah came into the world to save sinners, and I’m the number one sinner! But this is precisely why I received mercy – so that in me, as the number one sinner, Yeshua the Messiah might demonstrate how very patient he is, as an example to those who would later come to trust in him and thereby have eternal life.” (I Timothy 1:15-16)
Mary Magdalene is also a reminder that God extends his grace and mercy even to those thought to be completely evil (7 demons, Luke 8:2). He loves Mary Magdalene and showed it by his compassion, kindness and mercy. God knows. “…a scroll of remembrance has been written at His behest concerning those who revere the Lord and esteem His name. And on that day that I am preparing, said the Lord of Hosts, they shall be My treasured possession; I will be tender toward them as a man is tender toward his son who ministers to him.” (Malachi 3:16-17, Tanakh)
I too know his grace, compassion and kindness, as well as his tenderness.
That’s the God I know.
*All scripture is from the Complete Jewish Bible unless noted otherwise