Monday, May 21, 2007

God-in-a-Box II

"O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation." Isaiah 10:5
For God to use evil is not an issue of contradiction, but of His sovereignty. Remember: God is the only one who can use and punish evil and still remain true to His nature. God does not enjoy punishing (Lamentations 3:32, 33; Ezekiel 18:23, 32; Ezekiel 33:11), and of course He does not enjoy evil. The fact that He can use such things for good is a testimony to His sovereignty, and not to any flaw in His character.
We stagger so much at the problems of this world because our view of God is telescopic instead of panoramic. We need to drag out the REAL character of God (as revealed in Scripture) from underneath all of our preconceived human notions, limitations, and ideas. Let us, with fear and trembling, get back to understanding and believing Who the Bible says God is. Let us set this image before the world so that they may be shocked and awed, not bored out of their skulls or driven to ridiculous subterfuge. If Who God really is destroys some pet belief of yours, then let it be destroyed. You were better off without it. All chaff will be burned away before the consuming fire that is the Holy Lord of the Universe.
If we want to understand anything about creation, we must first know the Creator. Dust off the imago dei and set it on center stage. You may be surprised and frightened by what you find, but you will also fall on you knees and worship. May the glorious image of our Holy Father never be lost beneath our vague humanity.

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