LOVE AND HOLINESS

 

LOVE AND HOLINESS

Ezek. 18:23 Do you think, asks the LORD, that I like to see wicked people die? Of course not! I only want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. NLT

We must understand this truth. The Lord does not like to see wicked people die. God knows that those who live wicked lives will go to hell when they die if they don’t repent. They must be sent to hell for no sin can ever be in His presence. In human terms, it’s not God’s most favorite thing to do. His holiness demands it, but His love does not want to do it.

The Lord does all He can do to get people to repent. He shows himself to us in a multitude of ways. He can be found by anyone who sincerely is looking for Him. He bears witness of His existence and love in all of life. For those who have eyes to see, what man needs to know about God in order to be saved is everywhere. God wants people to open their eyes and see Him. He wants them to see themselves as sinners in need of a Savior.

But, He also know that sin darkens the mind of man and prevents the soul from seeing or wanting God. The deeper one goes into sin, the harder it is for the soul to find God. God allows man the freedom to choose how deep into sin he will go. No one has to be a slave to sin. Living in sin is a choice that is daily made. It is the natural tendency of the heart, but it is not the way it has to be. God provides a way out of sin and a way to stay out of it. It is God’s heart desire for us to choose to come out of sin and live in righteousness. There is a way out; there is hope for the soul. Jesus is the way, truth, and life. We come to God only through Him.

“Thank you, O Lord, for your righteousness and holiness that keeps us out of hell when we give you our hearts. Thank you, Lord, for making it possible for us to know the love of God for us and to be bathed in it daily. Thank you, Lord, for saving our souls and setting us free. In Jesus’ name. Amen.