"God is the same Person yesterday, today, and forever;but in the drama of the ages, He plays many parts."
~ Bob Jones, Sr.
You Have Loved Righteousness
"These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God ..."
~ Revelation 3:14 (NKJV)
But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness."
~ Hebrews 1:8-9 (NKJV)
The God of the Old Testament Who demands justice and the God made flesh in the Jesus Who heals are the the same faithful and true God, unchanged and unchanging since the Beginning of creation. He has always hated sin and loved sinners.
There is no more contradiction in the Word of God between Old and New Testaments than in the directions of a daddy to prohibit or prompt using the stove for the toddler and teenager. Different ages, different directions, same loving Father.
If the OT God seems harsh, consider if it is truly harsh is it to spank precious little fingers to prevent them being burned. If He seems judgmental, consider that justice would not be served to set a convicted murderer free to kill again.
Thus the person who makes claim to the payment of Jesus blood for his or her sin must repent of sin and love righteousness, or else one day face the same God Whose justice demanded Jesus' death—without the benefit of being clothed in Christ's righteousness at that meeting.
Those who read these words may not be the ones who need to apply them. But it's a sure bet that we know someone who has yet to have them lovingly explained.
Lord Almighty, our Shepherd and Savior and Sacrifice, please allow us to trust Your justice and rely upon Your mercy as we seek to know You fully as unchanging God.
I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source: myrealmofimagination.wordpress.com
Anne, Have you seen the Book of Eli. This post kind of reminded me of some things that movie got me thinking about.
ReplyDeleteI bet we could have one cool discussion about that movie. Really hope you can make it to ACFW.
~ Wendy
Wendy ~
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed The Book of Eli. There were huge holes in the plot you could drive a tank through. Without the gratuitous violence I'd love to have my kids see it. But I couldn't help loving a movie with a premise that God's Word is to be protected at all costs. I'd love to chat about it more sometime.
What a great post, Anne. He is the same, yesterday, today, tomorrow. Such comfort in that, but yes, sometimes it is difficult to accept the mantle of righteousness and all that is attached.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to see the Book of Eli.
...still chewing on yesterdays post, here.
ReplyDeleteas to the book of Eli, i've watched it 3-4 times now. ...hope you chat about it here:)
Laura ~
ReplyDeleteThe mantle of righteousness—do we ever grow into something Jesus-sized to the point we're not tripping over it?
Bud ~
ReplyDeleteTell you what—I'll make it a point to watch the movie a second time, and perhaps I'll do a post on it next Saturday.
yessss!!! thank you, Anne! i want to hear your take on it and Wendy's too:) btw...not only do i love the back forty but also manage to glean a bit in the comment section as well. so, guess i'm not only saying thanks to you but to your followers as well.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful post sis.
ReplyDeleteDenise ~
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly, dear. :D