06 Sep It is What It Is (Discovering the true character of God…because He is not a car-wrecking, cancer causing Creator, but a loving, life giving Lord!) part 6

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Over the past few weeks we have been learning from – Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

We shared with you three very important takeaways from this verse:

  1. Notice the word “cometh”.  The Greek tense for the word “cometh” is in the continual tense, meaning it is discussing those who continually come to God.  It could read “those that cometh and cometh and cometh to God”.  It describes a continual, communicative relationship.
  2. When we continually come to God, we must believe that “He IS”…not He was or He will be.  That describes a vast majority of the Body of Christ.  “God did a miracle in Biblical days” or “One day when we all get to Heaven, He will heal then.”  God is not the Great I was or the Great I will be…He IS the Great I AM!
  3. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Now we’ve left behind three quarters of the Body of Christ.  Most don’t believe He is a rewarder…most believe He is a taker!

This verse goes a long way in helping us understand the true nature and character of God.  How you view His character is so vital to you.  Last month we also gave you 4 Vital View Verifications:

  1. How you view Him will determine how much you come to Him.
  2. How you view Him is how you will treat others.  In other words, if you think He’s mad at you, it will be very difficult for you to treat others kindly.
  3. How you view Him will determine your outlook on life.
  4. How you view Him will determine your destiny.

Then finally we began to talk to you about “11 Characteristics Concerning the Character of God”:

  1. You can’t create God in your own image (Rom. 1:25).

This week let’s continue….

      2. Heaven Yes…Hell No!

In 31 years of ministry, I have heard a question brought up over and over again:  “Why would a loving God send someone to Hell?”  This is a huge character question that must be answered Biblically.  Let’s delve into it with “3 Hell Happenings”:

        1. Hell was not originally created for man (Matt. 25:41).  “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”  Here this verse tells us directly that Hell was originally created for the devil and his angels…not for mankind.
        2. God will respect your will all the way to Hell (Matt. 25:34, 41).  Here the Bible says, “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;” and verse 41 says, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”  

In these two verses, you can plainly see those going to Heaven are “blessed of my Father”.  However those going to Hell are not “cursed of my Father” they are simply cursed.  How?  They are cursed of their own choices.  God created mankind as free-will moral agents (see Genesis 1:26-28).  Therefore He will respect our choices all the way to Hell.

Join us next week as we continue with this series…