GOD LOVES YOU, REALLY

The Bible says God has no delight in the death of the sinner. “For
I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign
Lord. Repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:32 NIV). He demonstrates that
fact in at least four different ways.

• First, He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for sin, “For God
so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16 NIV).

• Second, He put His word into writing, the Bible, and instructed Christians
to take the message to the entire world, so that they may be saved,
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then, can they
call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One
of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to
them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:13-15 NIV).

• Thirdly, He has delayed His return to allow more time for people to get saved,
“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV).

• And lastly, He is elated every time a sinner repents.
“There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God
over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10 NIV).

The synonyms for ‘rejoicing’ include: Joy, elation, delight,
satisfaction, jubilation and exultation. Will God, the Creator of
the universe, be rejoicing? It must be a big deal when a sinner
repents. I can just imagine the angels cheering as He; the Creator
claps, and takes to the dance floor.

Justice is one of God’s attributes, and that compels Him to
judge sin. Loving us does not interfere with His nature. Parents
sometimes say to their children who keep disobeying, “Don’t make
me.” I believe in the same way, God really doesn’t want to have to
judge or punish us, but we leave Him no choice, when we refuse to
respond to his love. His joy is in seeing sinners come to repentance
not in seeing them die in their sins. If you have not believed in
Jesus, the Son of God, for your salvation, don’t wait any longer.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone.

Repentance is not possible after death, so repent today, while you are able to,
and call on Jesus to save you. Don’t make Him send you to hell. Honestly,
He doesn’t want to, but He will if you “make” Him. He will not compromise
His nature to accommodate your stubbornness and disbelief. Call on Jesus today!