ODB: Theology is for Everyone
March 27, 2011
Everyone must face God as Savior or as Judge.
READ: Jeremiah 23:25-32
I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. —Jeremiah 9:24
Some say that theology is only for “professionals.” But the situation in the days of the prophet Jeremiah illustrates why it’s important for everyone to know what God says about Himself.
The religious experts in Jeremiah’s day were misrepresenting God by prophesying “the delusions of their own minds” (Jer. 23:26 NIV) and leading people astray with their lies (v.32). Due to their dishonesty, the people did not know the true nature of God.
Today there are people who portray God as angry, vengeful, and eager to punish people for every minor offense. God, however, describes Himself as “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Ex. 34:6). Others show the world a picture of a loving God who is too kind to punish wrongdoing. But God describes Himself as one who exercises judgment and righteousness (Jer. 9:24). He is both a just Judge and a loving Father. If we emphasize one over the other, we paint a false picture of God.
The most important thing we can know about God and proclaim to the world is that God does not want to punish people; He wants them to repent so that He can forgive (2 Peter 3:9). But to be truly loving, He must also be absolutely just.
— Julie Ackerman Link
Source: Our Daily Bread
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
RSS FeedRelated
ODB: When Life Seems Unfair
May 16, 2011 READ: Psalm 73 I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. —Psalm 73:3 Have you ever felt that life is unfair? For those of us who are committed to following the will and ways of Jesus, it’s easy to get frustrated when people who don’t care [...]
ODJ: being civil
April 8, 2011 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal (v.1). READ: 1 Corinthians 13 It seems our society has become increasingly divided and polarized,” writes Mark DeMoss, president of The DeMoss Group, and former [...]
ODJ: proving existence
December 4, 2011 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us (v.12). READ: 1 John 4:7-21 In his book The Evidence for God, philosopher Paul Moser offers a fascinating case for the existence of God. His [...]
ODJ: well timed words
January 8, 2012 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! (v.23). READ: Proverbs 15:1-4, 23 In the book Encouragement: The Key to Caring, Larry Crabb describes how nerve wracking it was the first time he volunteered to pray out loud during a church service. Larry recalled, [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米
Simply great! I live in a Portuguese speaking country, Brazil, and I am involved in an English class outreach ministry. Last year I started using ODB devotionals in my class. Since then it became a powerful tool to introduce God’s Word to our students. It’s impressing how the devotionals have helped make students receptive to God’s Word. Through this we see how God is in your ministry.
May God bless you all in RBC ministries.
Jose
Fortaleza, Brazil