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Often times when you teach or preach the Word of God, people will accuse you of being one way or the other too much. Meaning you either teach on hell and judgment a lot and not enough on God's love or the reverse could be true. We strive to be balanced in what we teach as ALL of God's Word is critical and made to live by per Jesus:
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4I though it would be interesting to look at the New Testament scriptures ( KJV ) and see just what is preached and how many times it is mentioned there?
The following words represent the loving side of God's Word:
*The word love appears 202 times in the NT Word.
*The word heaven appears 277 times in the NT Word.
*The word joy appears 66 times in the NT Word
*The word forgive or forgiveness appears 61 times in the NT Word
*The word gospel ( good news ) appears 98 times in the NT Word
*The word angel appears 175 times in the NT Word
These are impressive numbers showing the great mercy or goodness of God, his love, hope and grace available to man.
We could stop there ( that would please those who like to focus mostly on the love of God ) but then we would NOT be faithful to all of God's Eternal Word would we?
The following words represent the judgment or wrath side of God:
*The word sin appears 276 times in the NT Word.
*The word judgment appears 79 times in the NT Word
*The word repent / repentance appears 85 times in the NT Word
*The word obey or obedience appear 45 times
*The word hell and wrath appears 69 times in the NT Word
*The word demon or devil appears 102 times in the NT Word
These too are impressive as the amount of times they appear in the Holy Word warning of God's wrath, judgment and hell to come, they cannot be ignored!
If you look at the two sides of this picture ( God's love vs His wrath or judgment ) it appears you will find a VERY well balanced message to mankind. Both love and wrath are clearly represented to man so we best take notice of this for our own good, amen?
It is very easy to see the following in the bible:
1) The Creator God is indeed a loving Father who has made a way to forgiveness/gain eternal life with Him via Christ and the cross. ( see the gospel to find eternal life http://www.dontperish.com/the-gospel.html )
2) That sin destroys man and His wrath and eternal judgment await those who deny Christ by living a life of sin and disobedience. (This includes those who keep paganism and false man made religion )
Both sides of God's Holy character and nature are seen in His love and wrath. Like two sides of a coin they cannot be separated can they?
May we who preach His truth NOT be found in either camp exclusively ( the love or the wrath camp ) but may we be seen teaching/proclaiming the fullness of God's Word that alone leads to eternal life to come! The Apostle Paul told us to study to be approved 2 Tim 2:15 and if we do this, we will not stay in one camp for long but we will preach the entire counsel of God's Holy Word for the edification of the body/warning of those who will hear it and repent.
I will leave you with two bible verses and of course they cover the 2 sides of God as His Word shows us. ( love and wrath )
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2 Thessalonians 1:8
Please study the Holy Word and you too will see BOTH sides of God, His love offered to all and His wrath to come on those outside of His truth.
To deny this will be a dreadful eternal mistake!
See the biblical resources below to help you in the biblical faith.
God be praised
www.dontperish.com
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Here is the biblical gospel:
Here is a 10 point biblical test:
Spirit and Truth Teaching Blog http://spiritandtruthdiscernment.blogspot.com/
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