Friends: Your Biggest Problem is that God is Love

I heard a story once. It was a terrible and tregic tail

about the injustice of racism in 1965. You see, there was once this young African American medical student who, while visiting his parents home in Alabama, ran into a problem with some Klu Klux Klan members. Appearently - as the story goes - at a local gas station, some members of the Klan started to make threats at the young man. Undaunted by the numerous and fowl remarks, the young man finished up at the station and perceeded to his car to randevoze at his parent's house. The members of the Klan followed in a distance, carefully remaining incogito. After some time watching the young man go into the house, the members of the klan knocked on the door, and waited for the young black man to answer the door.

What happened next is too shocking for words, and I will refraim from going into detial. I will, however, give the jist of the events. The Klans men, six in total, rushed into the house with weapons, and proceeded to beat to death the parents of the young man. The reason they left the young man alive, they said, was that he might "see that he would have no way to prove what occured, and so live the rest of his life knowing that there is no justice for niggers." After the incident, the young man was shocked to find that his next door neighor, a white man, saw everything and even took pictures while the incident occred. Some weeks later, at the trail of the murders, the witness presented his evidence before a judge in court. What proceeded to come out of the judge's mouth, would create pandemonium and cause everyone in the court room to be astounded in utter surprise.

"I understand that you have evidence of the murder, and I understand that this is indeed a tragedy. However, I liken myself to a good and merciful judge. It is the ruling of this court therefore, that these men experience forgiveness and go free." A strange silence struck the courtroom, as all seem stunned by the words of the judge. After the strange silence, followed an unanimous eruption of anger; no one more angry than the young man who's parents were murdered. "This judge is more wicked than the criminasl he allows free," shouted one seated in a row seat. Another asked in tears, "where's the justice!" and with that came the shouts "no peace, no justice...no peace, not justice!"

The story you've just read is based on a popular caricature that people have of God's nature. They assume that because God is good, he will therefore pardon their many guilt and sins. While they may assume that God does not see there sins aren't as grotesque as the one told in the story, the fact of the matter is that there is no sin hierarchy God. I present to you now the Holy God of the bible, the one who is known as a "consuming fire" of infinite holiness. He has said that "if you looked in lust, you are guilty of adultery," and that "if you are angry with someone without cause, it as as murder." Moreover, he has commended that we love Him above all things and everyone. Who has kept these laws? Which of us has never lied or looked in lust, or failed to love God as we ought to love him - namely with all of our hearts, minds, soul, and strength?

If you recognize your failure to keep these fair demands (which by the way he made for our benefit), as I have, then look to the One God provided on Sinner's behalf. There is a Savior - one who has NEVER sinned. Furthermore, since the absolute and everlasting love of God's character demands justice to be given for every wrong deed done, the Savior died in the stead of all those who repent and trust in him alone (not their own presumed worth or goodness) for their justification. Even more, the Savor, Jesus, rose from the grave and ever lives to help his people. He saves and jusifly reconciles sinners back to a just and Loving God. Please, do not assume that because God is love that he will forgive you of your sins. Unlike the judge in the Story, God's love Demands justice, therefore obey God's command. Here is the King's mandate: Repent and trust in Jesus ALONE for your justification. Then, and ONLY then, will you come to know the Love of God. It is not a small and fickle love that you may triffle with. Rather, it is a love that is true and deep and wonderous in power. It is a love to fear. All those who know it may delight in such a fear!

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