God's Other Side
God's Other Side
Yes, there is a side of God well-hidden by the majority of religionists today. Speaking of religionists, let us not forget "the father of all lies" (John 8:44) who, when it comes to Scripture, wrests, misapplies, perverts, distorts, takes out of context, conceals, and does anything else he can to "blind" (2 Corinthians 2:11; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Matthew 4:5-6; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Peter 5:8). Our point here is that Satan will always be busy trying to prevent us from seeing God as He is and "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). To establish that God does have two sides, we need only to look at the lucid language of Romans 11:22! In context this passage also refutes the Cavinistic doctrine of eternal security (as do numerous other New Testament writings).
The author of Hebrews tells us "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (10:31), after addressing the subject of punishment in 10:26-30. Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica concerning end-time and vividly described God's wrath (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Consider, also, the husband and wife in Acts 5:1-11. Matthew 25 and Matthew 7:21-23 clearly reveal divine anger as opposed to the "permissive love" we usually hear stressed. Most seem to think God is still "winking" (Acts 17:30) and that His only emotion exudes love, mercy, tenderness, etcetera.
How shall we explain 2 Peter 2:17-21 and 2:4-9? And why don't we see church discipline practiced as the scriptures direct (1 Corinthians 5:1-11; Romans 16:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14-15)? Soneone said, "When God looks at me, He only sees Jesus!" This implies God overlooks my disobedience and reserves a place in Heaven for me regardless of my conversation (lifestyle). The truth is when God looks at me, he sees all (Hebrews 4:13)! He sees that I am living in harmony with 1 Peter 1:16 and 1 Timothy 5:22 or in violation of Matthew 5:28 or 1 Timothy 2:9-10 or 1 John 4:20 or Ephesians 5:25 or Ephesians 6:4 or Galatians 6:1 or Ephesians 4:25-29 or other such verses.
After all is said and done, those who spurn God's love will face His wrath (1 John 2:3-6; Hebrews 12:29; 2 Corinthians 5:11).
by Larry Mason