20 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 8
Over the past few weeks we have been sharing our key Scripture, 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.” Unfortunately, after tragedies occur, well-meaning Christians besmirch the true character of God. In this series we have been – Discovering the true character of God…because He is not a car-wrecking, cancer causing Creator, but a loving life giving God!
We shared with you three very important takeaways from this verse:
- 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.
- 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!
- 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:
- How you view Him will determine how much you come to Him.
- 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.
- How you view Him will determine your outlook on life.
- How you view Him will determine your destiny.
Then finally we began to talk to you about “11 Characteristics Concerning the Character of God”:
- You can’t create God in your own image (Rom. 1:25).
- 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”:
- 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.
- 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.
3. It’s not sins that send one to Hell, it is a sin that sends one to hell (John 16:7-9).
Here it says, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me.”
Notice in these powerful verses the Holy Spirit is sent to reprove the world (people who don’t know Jesus) of sin. Not sins plural, but sin singular. So it is not sins plural that send people to Hell! That is why it is one sin (singular) that sends a person to Hell! Jesus tells us specifically what it is in verse nine, “Of sin, because they believe not on me.” In other words, it s not what we do with sins (plural) that send us to Hell. Jesus bore our sins and the punishment thereof on the cross. It’s what we do with Jesus that sends us to Hell or not. That’s why the Bible tells us in Romans 10:9-10, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Notice to get saved we don’t confess our sins (plural), but our confession is that Jesus is Lord!
Today let us share more about this subject…
Whenever someone asks me the question trying to impugn the character of God, “Why would a loving God send someone to Hell?” I always turn it around on them as I don’t accept the premise of the question. I always tell them the real question you should be asking is “Why not accept all a loving God has done to keep you out of Hell?!”
One of the many reasons mainline denominations are hemorrhaging people is they are constantly misrepresenting the true character and nature of God. On one hand, they’ll say “God is good” and on the other hand they’ll say God killed your two-year-old to teach you something. There is a disconnect with that dichotomy with those who don’t yet know Christ, and there should be…that is simply not a Biblical representation of His true character!
John 10:10 says, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” Anything that steals, kills or destroys is of the devil, and anything that gives life and it more abundantly is of God…duh! Here at Joy Church and World Changers Bible Institute we teach people the goodness of God (see Romans 2:4) and literally thousands are being born again!
Remember this…your God is not a car-wrecking, cancer causing Creator, but a loving, life-giving Lord!
Join us next week as we continue our series…