Bruce Leiter
A sinner saved by God's astounding grace and love
- Jun 16, 2018
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- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Married
I suppose many would say, "Yes, God is out to get us."
But what do they mean by "get us"?
Do they mean that God is watching for any slip up, so that he might punish us?
Or is God looking out for our best interest, that he might have us as his own?
Thus pursuing a positive relationship with his creation.
Many would combine these two aspects and claim a balanced view of "God's love and justice". The idea that he wants to have a positive relationship with us, but since we are "completely unworthy", he has no choice but to punish us. Thus blaming the victim for divine alienation and punishment. As if we should be accountable for the way in which he created us. Plan B treatment, since we messed up his plan A. Didn't see that one coming. Now what?
No, I don't believe God's original plan has been derailed by humankind, which he created in his own image. On the contrary. The intent is that all things will be restored. This story ends well.
Romans 8:20-21
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
If we are true believers in the God of the Bible through faith by grace, God has already justified us so that God our Judge has declared, according to Paul in Romans 3 and following, that true believers are not-guilty for all our sins.
However, as our loving heavenly Father, he guides our lives to overcome our old-nature qualities and actions and replaces them with new-nature characteristics.
On the other hand, the sinful nature that remains within us often resists his work of change. Like any good father, our perfect Father disciplines us lovingly when we rebel by deciding to act according to our old nature. That discipline is his tough love completely for our benefit.
For unbelievers, God uses their suffering, which he allows but doesn't cause, to call them to repentance.
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