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JAMES 1:17 NKJ 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Some people have the idea that God was a mean bully -- a bad guy -- during the Old Testament, but has changed in the New Testament period to being a nice guy.
But Scripture reveals clearly that God never changes. What God was in the past, He is now, and He will be in the future.
MALACHI 3:6 NKJ 6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.
HEBREWS 13:8 NKJ 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
"Then why are there verses in the Old Testament that seem to ascribe evil to God?"
This question is not easily or quickly answered. There are many reasons, and we can only touch on some briefly in this article. Here are a few key points.
The Bible is progressive revelation. We know more about God and His ways now than we did in the past.
JOHN 1:17 NKJ 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
In the NT (New Testament) God is dealing with people differently than in the OT (Old Testament). We have a new covenant. Until the death and resurrection of Jesus the most important goal for God was to preserve the Jewish people and get Jesus here to be our Substitute. Some things had to be done to protect the people of God so that could happen. Compare it to a surgeon who amputates an arm or a leg so that the person's life may be spared. It is not an act of hatred, but of love. No one would condemn the surgeon as being guilty of anything bad.
Now under the new covenant, God is able to fully display His grace. Jesus has already arose victorious. The battle for man has been won, and Jesus is Lord!
Another problem is our Bible translations. None are perfect. Some verses are wrongly translated in a causative sense instead of the correct sense of allowing something to happen. The truth is that God did not cause bad things to happen. The people and the devil were responsible. But sometimes our translations make it sound like God was at fault, when He was only allowing it.
Also, the devil and demons are almost NEVER mentioned in the OT. Yet when Jesus began His ministry we see them everywhere. Did they just show up then? No! Demons were present in OT times also. It is just that God did not yet reveal all that was going on. Maybe the reason God did not reveal more was to prevent people from worshiping the devil. So God just kept quiet. (The one exception to this is the book of Job, which makes it clear that all the calamity was the result of the devil's actions, not God's actions.)
Another key point is that Jesus Christ perfectly revealed God to us. Look at His life. Jesus never harmed anyone.
ACTS 10:38 NKJ 38 "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
JOHN 1:18 NLT 18 No one has ever seen God. But the one and only Son is himself God and is near to the Father's heart. He has revealed God to us.
COLOSSIANS 2:9 PHILLIPS 9 Yet it is in him that God gives a full and complete expression of himself in bodily form.
JOHN 12:45 NKJ 45 "And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:4 NLT 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
SAY THIS: God never has been a bad guy.
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THE WORD OF GOD WORLD OUTREACH
You Must Ask for Eternal Life... Matthew 21:22 - And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive. John 16:24 - Here to have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy…
ContinueCreated by Bishop Dr. Joshua Smith Oct 18, 2011 at 3:47am. Last updated by Bishop Dr. Joshua Smith Mar 21, 2014.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
What a powerful promise! If we are willing to generously share with others in the name of Jesus, as the apostle Paul discusses in the previous verses, we will always have what we need to bless others, and our lives will be full of good deeds that bring glory to God and his blessing to many. So let's remind ourselves of one of the first lessons we should have learned as young children: share... share what we have... share generously! Only this time, as children of God, let's share in the name of Jesus to bless others so they receive his grace in tangible ways.
Thank you, Father, for all the incredible blessings you have poured into my life. You have richly blessed me physically and spiritually. Now, I ask that your Holy Spirit will help me be generous with the gifts you have so richly poured into my life. O LORD, may I be a conduit of your blessings so that others may come to know your grace through the blessings you've given me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.Then a cloud appeared and enveloped [Jesus and his disciples, Peter, James, and John], and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"
Who are you listening to in your life? We can hear all sorts of different voices and listen to all sorts of religious commentary and insight. However, we can follow only One as the Source of all truth and life. Who are we going to listen to as we make our decisions about morality, values, ethics, and character? Who has earned the right to be heard regarding truth, life, death, sin, and salvation? God makes it unmistakably clear at the Mount of Transfiguration: we must listen to his Son Jesus! Moses was amazing, and Elijah was bold and brave. Peter, James, and John were blown away to see them at Jesus' transfiguration. But God made it clear: we must listen, obey, and follow only one as our source of truth, and God said of him, "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"
Almighty God, I need the Holy Spirit's help to silence the voices of dispute, doubt, deception, and demagoguery surrounding me. Help me hear the voice of Jesus above the noise of politicians, influencers, and self-appointed experts of my day. I want to follow Jesus and obey him in all things, no matter what anyone else may choose to do or to whom they entrust their hearts. Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.[The people of God stood and worshiped him, saying:] "You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you."
God is the Creator! Life is defined in him and by him. The multitudes of heaven worship and adore the LORD for his creative power and love. For me, that means two very important things.
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Thank you, dear God, for creating the universe in its incomprehensible expanse. Thank you, holy Father, for re-creating me in Christ so that I can share in your glory as your beloved child. Thank you, almighty LORD, for creating life that endures forever. I look forward to that Day when I see you face to face and praise you with the multitudes of heaven. In Jesus' name, I praise. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.© 2024 Created by Bishop Dr. Joshua Smith. Powered by