Category: Judgment and mercy
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Severe Mercy: When God’s Fire Heals Instead of Destroys
Many Christians were raised hearing that the wrath of God means endless punishment. The image often painted is one of divine anger that never ends and suffering that serves no purpose except retribution. But when we look carefully at Scripture, a different picture emerges. Throughout the Bible, God’s fire is often described not as destruction…
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Spoiling the Egyptians: A Pattern of Redemption
“And the LORD [Yahweh] had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.” Exodus 12:36. In general, the things we own reflect who we are. One of the more intriguing moments in the Exodus story occurs just before Israel leaves…
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God Is Love: Eternal Conscious Torment or Jesus Saves All?
“God is love.”— 1 John 4:8. That little three-word sentence may be the most powerful truth in the whole Bible. Not “God has love.” Not “God shows love sometimes.” Not “God loves when we behave.” God is love. And John doubles down later: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…” (1 John 4:18)…