A GLIMPSE INTO THE HEART OF GOD

 

I would like to share one of my favorite verses that I believe shows us a little bit of the heart and nature of God.

 

Ezekiel 33:11: "Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?'”

 

Now we know that God is a loving God, but we also know that he is a God of justice. By His own nature He cannot allow sin to go unpunished. Notice He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. However, letting sin go unpunished and unrepentant is not an option. We are told He would rather have people turn away from their wicked ways so that they could live.Why would God rather have us turn from our wicked ways? Because He really cares and would rather love us, then punish us! Notice also that He repeats himself — "Turn back, turn back". He urges us to turn away to avoid punishment.

 

Think about that for a minute. We are talking about the Creator of the universe here. We have an all-powerful God, pleading with mankind. Why? Because His love is real. Next, we read, "Why then will you die?" He is also trying to reason with us. What reason can we give to not turn away from certain destruction? At the same time, turn to a God that loves us so much that He Himself paid the penalty of our sins, purchasing the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28, John 3:16-21).