Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of our gentle, forgiving God. In this final segment of the focus on the gentleness of God toward us, God assures, “I would rather forgive and restore you than destroy you.”
The previous entry had to do with the false perception of a distant and impersonal God. This entry takes that mindset one step further. Through the years there have been trends and emphases (expressed through denominations, churches, or pastors) that have featured the harsh judgment of God. While it is right to examine every aspect of God’s character, a lack of balance has caused some Christians to grow up with a misunderstanding and wrong impression of God. They can have an unjustified (and resentful) dread of God. They can see Him as angry, unpredictable, volatile, vengeful – raining down destruction and judgment without warning and disproportionate to the offense. This constant fear of God’s pouncing on them for the smallest offense leads to an unhealthy view of an impersonal and uncaring God who doesn’t try to help His followers. But God compassionately understands human weakness. He sees the heart of earnest Christians, and He says . . .
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions” (51:1).
“But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again” (78:38-39).
“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities” (103:10).
“Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption” (130:7).
God says, “My dear child, I do hate sin, and I do not like to see you walk in it. However, I do love you, and I am completely aware of the frailty of your human flesh. Because of My great love and because of My compassionate understanding, I have restrained My responses of judgment toward you more times that you can imagine. I have suffered long, giving you many opportunities. If I wanted to harshly judge you, trust Me that you would no longer be alive. It is never My desire to destroy you but always to correct you, restore you, and strengthen you. I always want to see you take steps forward in your journey with Me, and it pleases My heart to encourage and support you in that process. If you confess, I will forgive. I will restore. I will continue to use you. When you fail, don’t hesitate to come humbly to Me.”
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
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