TURNING ON THE LIGHT
I always do what is acceptable to him. John 8:29, N.E.B.
Many believers trace their misgivings about God to the Old Testament accounts of His dealings with people. They wonder if the God of the Old Testament and Jesus Christ are even compatible. Yet Christ Himself said, "I do nothing on my own authority, but in all that I say, I have been taught by my Father. He who sent me is present with me, and has not left me alone; for I always do what is acceptable to him" (John 8:28, 29, N.E.B.).
Christ's life and teachings are compatible with the God portrayed in the Old Testament. In fact, Jesus explained that He was the "I am" of the Old Testament (verse 58)! Though it may not immediately appear so, Jesus--as the Christ or as the I Am--"is the same yesterday, today, and for ever" (Heb. 13:8, N.E.B.). And His mission has always been to reveal the Father to mankind.
"But," you exclaim, "the God of the Old Testament was so severe! Jesus was nothing like Him!" This may be a case of seeing shadows in the night, like the child who was sure there was a burglar in her room. When her mother turned on the light, she saw that it was only her bathrobe hanging on her closet door. Similarly, we can chase away the shadows of the Old Testament by "turning on" the light of the New Testament.
Also, it helps to let clearer passages of Scripture illuminate those that are more ambiguous. For instance, God says, "Loyalty is my desire, not sacrifice, not whole-offerings but the knowledge of God" (Hosea 6:6, N.E.B.). We need not struggle over the idea that God is more interested in balancing the account of sins than He is in coming to know Him. The ministry of Christ to people such as Mary Magdalene demonstrates this truth.
Again we are told, "Yet the Lord is waiting to show you his favour, yet he yearns to have pity on you; for the Lord is a God of justice" (Isa. 30:18, N.E.B.). This certainly puts a different slant on the concept of a just God being sternly ready to punish the wicked! Jesus echoed this expanded understanding of justice when He stated, "It was not to judge the world that God sent his Son into the world, but that through him the world might be saved" (John 3:17, N.E.B.).
Let's "turn on" the light and rejoice!
I always do what is acceptable to him. John 8:29, N.E.B.
Many believers trace their misgivings about God to the Old Testament accounts of His dealings with people. They wonder if the God of the Old Testament and Jesus Christ are even compatible. Yet Christ Himself said, "I do nothing on my own authority, but in all that I say, I have been taught by my Father. He who sent me is present with me, and has not left me alone; for I always do what is acceptable to him" (John 8:28, 29, N.E.B.).
Christ's life and teachings are compatible with the God portrayed in the Old Testament. In fact, Jesus explained that He was the "I am" of the Old Testament (verse 58)! Though it may not immediately appear so, Jesus--as the Christ or as the I Am--"is the same yesterday, today, and for ever" (Heb. 13:8, N.E.B.). And His mission has always been to reveal the Father to mankind.
"But," you exclaim, "the God of the Old Testament was so severe! Jesus was nothing like Him!" This may be a case of seeing shadows in the night, like the child who was sure there was a burglar in her room. When her mother turned on the light, she saw that it was only her bathrobe hanging on her closet door. Similarly, we can chase away the shadows of the Old Testament by "turning on" the light of the New Testament.
Also, it helps to let clearer passages of Scripture illuminate those that are more ambiguous. For instance, God says, "Loyalty is my desire, not sacrifice, not whole-offerings but the knowledge of God" (Hosea 6:6, N.E.B.). We need not struggle over the idea that God is more interested in balancing the account of sins than He is in coming to know Him. The ministry of Christ to people such as Mary Magdalene demonstrates this truth.
Again we are told, "Yet the Lord is waiting to show you his favour, yet he yearns to have pity on you; for the Lord is a God of justice" (Isa. 30:18, N.E.B.). This certainly puts a different slant on the concept of a just God being sternly ready to punish the wicked! Jesus echoed this expanded understanding of justice when He stated, "It was not to judge the world that God sent his Son into the world, but that through him the world might be saved" (John 3:17, N.E.B.).
Let's "turn on" the light and rejoice!
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