God Grieves

God grieves. We see it whenever God has had to deal harshly with people.  Before He sent the flood, the Bible says he was grieved.  We know also that He had Noah try and warn people for many years while he built a boat.  God shows His heart for this world in that He was willing to pay for our wrong doing by giving His own Son.  He warns those who would do wrong and says, “I take no pleasure in the death of anyone.”  (Ezekiel 18:32, NIV)  God invites us to come to Him and live.  Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10, NIV)  The point is that He expresses sorrow over those who turn away and reject His offer of life.

Judgment

Jesus said, “As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.  There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.”  John 12:47-48, NIV

Jesus does not condemn us.  He says in another place that He came that we can have life.  The Bible is clear that God remembers that we are but dust and He is more than willing to forgive our failures.  Why would we reject Him?

The Spirit's Contention

God is constantly reaching out to us.  In the book of Genesis He says, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever.” (Gen. 6:3, NIV)  How does He contend with us?  This question takes me to a comment that Jesus made when He looked at Jerusalem.  He said, “How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” (Mat. 23:37, NIV) Does His Spirit contend with you today?