By Kingsley Baehr
The God of the Bible is portrayed as the all-powerful Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, Who has no beginning and no end, and Who knows everything and is everywhere.
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.” – Isaiah 40:28
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. Colossians 1:16,17
And yet, [would you believe it?] the Bible presents this same God as a God Who begs or pleads. “No way!” you say. Just look at this.
‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.
Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die...?’ Ezekiel 33:11
“Therefore also now,” says the LORD, “turn to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents of the evil.” Joel 2:12,13
This is what the LORD of hosts says; “Turn to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will turn to you,” says the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 1:3
Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die...?’ Ezekiel 33:11
“Therefore also now,” says the LORD, “turn to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents of the evil.” Joel 2:12,13
This is what the LORD of hosts says; “Turn to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will turn to you,” says the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 1:3
“And why should I turn to Him from my own way of life?” you ask.
Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD
and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6,7
But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, patient and abundant in mercy and truth. Psalm 86:15
“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from [them]. Hosea 14:4
But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, patient and abundant in mercy and truth. Psalm 86:15
“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from [them]. Hosea 14:4
And finally, how is this awesome God able, with justice, to have mercy on us, par-don us, be compassionate and gracious to us, heal our backsliding, love us, and turn His righteous anger away from us? Because He sent Jesus His Son to take our punish-ment upon Himself, to die for us, and to conquer death for us in order to give us eternal life.
How will you respond to this God Who is begging you to turn back to Him?
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself a ransom for all... 1 Tim. 2:5,6
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself a ransom for all... 1 Tim. 2:5,6
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34