God's character, His desire

It is sobering for anyone, believer or not, to read the opening half of Romans 6:23, which reads: "The wages of sin is death."

This truth, while sobering, does not cause the Christ follower to be anxious or fearful, because we have read and believe the second part of this verse: "...but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

It is impossible to accept Christ's lordship without first coming to grips with the fact that apart from Him our nature is sin. Our natural state is to look to self ... to live a life without regard for God or His will.

How reassuring to know, from the Scriptures and from our personal experiences as believers, that our righteous Father is patient and merciful. His desire, as 2 Peter 3:9 assures us, is that none should perish, but for ALL to come to repentance.

It is increasingly common today to hear people talk about what they "deserve," from acceptance of all personal choices, to full support from government at all levels.

What we actually deserve, apart from the saving grace of Christ, is death and eternal separation from the God who made us. That truth causes the Christian to grieve for those who do not yet know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

But God has a better plan -- the perfect plan.

In Lamentations 3:22 we read: "It is because of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions never fail."

In Psalm 103:10-11 we read: "He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him."

God is merciful, and His desire is that ALL would turn from conformity to the world into His loving arms and the promise of life eternal with Him.

When we acknowledge Jesus as Redeemer, fear and reverance God the Father, we are assured that we will not suffer His wrath.

As believers we are called to worship and glorify Him in word and action. Might the divine patience and mercy we have experienced in our lives motivate us to share the gospel with those who have yet to repent, surrender their selfish desires and accept His mercy.

"The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and great of mercy." Psalm 145:8