Destruction

So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.”  (Genesis 6:13, NIV)  The word destroy caught my attention.  God does not like violence filling the earth.  A just and loving God does not like the horrible things that happen every day on our earth.  The judgment of Noah’s time destroyed everything and everybody. However, for Noah He made a way out.   He has also made a way out of the judgment to come for anyone who will accept it.   “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)

Obstacles to Faith

Jesus’ words are life.  He is our hope and salvation.  Not everyone accepts this, and for different reasons.  However, look at the words of Jesus, not at what religion has made of it or what others have said about what Jesus said.  Something Jesus said in John 5:44 pointed out to me one of the biggest obstacles to my faith.  Here it is:  “No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.” (John 5:44, NLT)  What keeps you from believing?

Walking with God

"This is the account of Noah.  Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God."  (Genesis 6:9, NIV)  The Bible tells of a number of people who “walked with God.”  Most of their names are well known to those familiar with the Bible.  Considering that God is the all-powerful maker of everything, doesn't it make you just a little bit curious as to what it means that they “walked with God?”  God has given an open invitation and wants you to walk with Him also.

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?