How Bad is Bad?

I was reading this morning in the book of Genesis. I have read these passages over many times, but this time something hit me in a new way.

"The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on earth had become, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that He made man on the earth, and His heart was filled with pain." Genesis 6:5-6

The idea of God's heart being "filled with pain" is what struck me. It took on new meaning, especially in light of many who say that all should be saved, that there are many ways to God, and that God would not condemn someone to Hell because of that one's rejection of Jesus.

I've heard it before, but it just was so clear. Our understanding of God is so microscopic that we cannot comprehend how incredibly ugly and revolting our sin is.

If God was not love, our sin would merely give Him reason to wipe us off the earth and forget. Instead, because He is love, His heart fills with pain at our unbelief, at our making up our own set of standards, and ignoring what He shed His blood for us to see.

In Genesis, God looked for any way to save mankind without compromising His holiness. When He found one man who feared Him and desired to obey, He gave that man, Noah, time to build a boat and the specifications. Before the flood filled the earth, God shut the door with His own hand and saved Noah, his whole family, and at least two of every animal.

This salvation, like the sacrifices the Israelites gave for thousands of years, were just temporary fixes for an immediate problem. The saving was physical and symbolic. Both pointed to the one day when God would send His Son to be crucified.

Oswald Chambers said, "Jesus Christ hates the wrong in man and Calvary is the estimate of His hatred." Instead of taking His hatred of sin out on the sinners, who have broken His heart, God paid the price.

This is what makes rejection of Jesus so horrible. He has withheld judgement on me and you, because He is giving us a chance to accept a payment that cost the life of a Perfect man, God in flesh. It took God to be perfect; it took flesh to die. If you and I will not accept this unfathomable grace that would take our punishment, then we must face our punishment--forever separated from God.

If you argue for those who have never heard, God, who is rich in mercy, knows what it takes to show them Jesus. He has sent many missionaries in to the heart of jungles and isolated villages. Sometimes they are surprised to find the people expecting them.

God is not unjust. He promises to make us each responsible for the truth that we are given. You can be sure that what breaks His heart will never be allowed into His Kingdom.

If He did not love you, Jesus would not have died. You would have been punished without mercy, only justice.

Because He loves you, you have the choice to break His heart and reap the fruit of your sin. Or, you may accept His payment and reap the fruit of His love.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

It is your only life. How will you use it?