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"The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love" (Ps. 145:8 NIV).

Some well-known Christian leaders have written that terrorist actions against our country happened as part of His judgment and are a warning and a wake-up call to this country. Although this may sound very spiritual, I don't believe it to be so.

You see, God loves every human being even when He hates their evil actions. Does God just come and zap people and wipe them out when He is ticked off at them and at what they are doing? The answer is no.

The Bible tells us "God is gracious and compassionate (which is why He sent Jesus), slow to anger and rich in love." We must never lose sight that all of mankind is God's creation—even those who have gone astray.

God looks at every human being as His child. If you are a parent, you know that you have a love for your children that only you can carry and only you can feel. Out of that love, He had Jesus die to pay the punishment for the sins of each and every person. That gift of forgiveness is available to all who believe.

God desires every human being to come to Him, to repent and receive His forgiveness through Jesus Christ and be saved from eternal damnation. We all know that many won't take these steps, but it is still His will.

In 1 Timothy chapter two, Christians are urged by the Spirit of God to pray "for all mankind and for all those in authority." Why does God urge us to pray continuously for all men? The answer lies in the verses that follow. First Timothy 2:3-4 says, "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants ALL MEN to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

God cares about every human being. It goes on to say that there is only one God. FirstTimothy 2:5-6 reads, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men...."

God loves every human being. It does not mean He loves what every human being does or the choices they make. To the contrary, God knows that many wrong choices have been made and that many human beings have wandered after false gods with damning doctrines that hurt people.

He doesn't hate people for that. Satan will pay for the deception he has brought upon mankind. Although God does love all his creation, He does not turn a blind eye to evil or injustice just because of His love.

Part of what love is, is justice. God is just. Justice is a part of who God is. At the final judgment of all men, all justice will be executed. This is something to discuss at another time. Right now, let's focus on the fact that God's desire is for mankind to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved from their sins. Jesus is patient for that to happen.

God is not out there wielding the sword of judgment. God, by His Spirit, is helping men preach His gospel everywhere. Jesus initiated that. It continues through His Holy Spirit today.

Any instructions for living outside of the instructions that God has given us through His Word—the Bible—can hurt and lead mankind into further deception. Satan is the author of all this confusion and deception.

Since Satan couldn't replace God on his throne, he has tried to deceive man from following God's ways. Why doesn't God just wipe Satan out? Because God wants mankind to learn the difference between good and evil and between Himself and Satan, allowing mankind to make the right choice.

He does not want to force His love on us. God gives freedom and liberty—even if we might make wrong choices.

God loves all. This is why He wants us to intercede for all men. He wants us to pray that people will open their hearts and minds to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved. This is the only plan God has given for man's sins to be forgiven and to receive eternal life.

People always ask the question, "What about those that don't know the Gospel?" Understand that the gospel came from the Middle East, not from here. The Bible is not only true, but also considered by the greatest intellects and scientist from every background in the world as the most historically accurate and best preserved document in the world.

The Holy Bible declares God as the only God. He first revealed Himself to the Jews and then to the Gentiles who believed and were later called Christians. The Bible declares the miracles of God. History books—not religious books confirm those miracles.

The Bible alone presents a plan for the forgiveness of man's sins and his salvation. No other religion has a plan of salvation for man's sins. Every other religion was created from the mind of men with no miracles to support that God was involved.

The Gospel has been preached almost everywhere in the world and God is just, He judges people for what they do know, not what they don't. There is no one more fair and just than God!

Some people ask, "What about all the babies and little children that die in this world?" Jesus gave the answer to that. He tells us that children are in the age of innocence and that Heaven is their home when they leave this earth early. He even goes on to say that unless we enter into same kind of purity and innocence as a little child, we won't see Heaven.

Read it for yourself in Luke 18:16-17: "But Jesus called the children to him and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'"

We enter it by being childlike in our faith and accepting Jesus as our Savior and receiving the forgiveness of our sins and His gift of eternal life. I've said all this to say that God loves mankind yet hates the evil and destruction that Satan has brought upon this earth using people he has deceived.

The only evil act that will not receive judgment is one that God has forgiven because of a heart of sincere repentance. God is patient for man to know Him and repent. He is not quick to wrath or to bring judgment on anyone. But, destruction can come; it just doesn't come at the hand of God. It comes at the hand of Satan.

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Aren't you glad! Thank Him for it and receive His forgiveness today.

www.FreshManna.org
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Author Biography

Tim Burt
Web site: Todays Fresh Manna
 
Timothy Burt is a pastor, author, and writer. He is best known as the author of Fresh Manna, a daily devotional and online Bible study.
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