God is not evil

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29,11 (KJV)

When we look at who God is in the Bible: God Almighty, the Lord Jesus Christ and the precious Spirit of God, and we look at the perceptions that exist concerning of God (inaccurate perceptions), it’s fair to say that God can be misunderstood. God’s nature has often been misconstrued out of ignorance.

There are stories in the Old Testament narrating how God would “punish” people. And at the same time, we see "less condemnation" in the New Testament. Someone may wonder: 'Did God change?', or 'Did He change His mind concerning His principles?'. More questions may arise: Can God be trusted? Can we really be sure about Him?

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” James 1,17(NKJV)

We can be sure about God's love for us!

God spoke through the prophet Malachi and said: “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” (Malachi 3,6 NKJV)

Indeed, grace is highlighted in the New Testament.

But there was grace also in the Old Testament. There was grace in the garden of Eden, grace during the times of Abraham, grace during the law of Moses, grace at the time of Jesus on earth and there is still grace today.

He is the God of compassion and mercy, filled with unfailing love and faithfulness (Exodus 34,6).

In Old Testament times (before the sacrifice of Jesus Christ), some individuals, like Moses and David, got to know God and His ways; they knew God was loving, gracious and merciful. Moses often times interceded for the Israelites. David cried out to God: “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.” Psalm 51,1-2(NLT). When David murdered a man, he did not run away from God but he ran to God. He knew God will always be there to pick him up regardless of his failings.

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53,4-6 (NKJV)

God changed the manner in which He relates with mankind when He sent His Son Jesus to be the propitiation for sins (1John 4,10). He did not change His principles; He just found a way (Jesus the Way) for man to be on the right side of His principles. The "wrath" of God mentioned in the Old Testament was put on Jesus when He died on the cross (Isaiah 53). That’s the difference. And this is the assurance that God is not angry. He is not looking for ways to punish man.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” 

(John 3,16-18 NKJV)

God is love! He loves because that’s WHO He is! (1John 4,16)

What Jesus has done on the cross was not just for our eternal salvation (after we leave the earth). It’s also for our day-to-day life. The abundant life is for the believer to live NOW! You can choose to live the life Jesus is offering you. A life that is not dependent on the system of the world but a life that is dependent on His Word; what He has said, what He has done for you.

“Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, “The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!” Psalm 92,15 (NLT)

Evergreen