God, The Harsh Judge
Misconceptions about God viewing humanity with disdain often portray Him as a harsh judge eagerly waiting for people to stumble, relishing the idea of condemning them to eternal punishment in a lake of fire. Martin Luther, the German monk, and theologian who played a central role in the Protestant Reformation, described his feelings and experiences as a monk in various writings. One of his well-known quotes, referring to when he was a monk, is:
In this statement, Luther reflects on how he felt a sense of spiritual despair and guilt while striving to uphold the rigorous expectations and practices of monastic life. He realized that the religious system he was a part of had led him to view Christ more as a harsh judge than a source of comfort and salvation.
However, this perception contradicts the Bible's actual teachings. In fact, as one Bible teacher aptly put it, "God does not desire anyone to go to hell; that's why He sent Jesus." This underscores God's compassionate and redemptive nature rather than a desire for condemnation.
Years ago, a man purported to be a Christian comedian, once, when addressing the attitude of some Christians, created a parody made up to the tune of “A Mighty Fortress is our God.” But instead of the regular words, he added the phrase, “I am nothing but a worm; step on me, God, and watch me squirm.” He was trying to address some Christians' attitudes towards God and themselves humorously. The notion is that humans are worthless scum and are of little value except for the mercy and grace of God. However, the truth is, Jesus did not die for trash or scum. We, humans, designate people into those categories, but Father sees a world of lost, hurting people he loves, each being valuable enough to pay for with the blood of his son.
The 1st Century Context
In the first-century Roman context, people believed individuals were inherently worthless and inconsequential. This perception extended to their understanding of gods, often depicting them as harsh and unforgiving beings who took pleasure in the suffering of humanity. The prevailing attitude viewed humans as deserving punishment, with gods eagerly awaiting opportunities to unleash torment upon them. Roman mythology is filled with stories illustrating this perception, portraying gods as capricious and vengeful.
For example, consider the myth of Prometheus—a Titan who stole fire from the gods to help humanity. In this tale, Zeus punished Prometheus by chaining him to a rock, where an eagle would daily devour his liver, only for it to regenerate and repeat the cycle. Prometheus's punishment emphasizes the gods' cruelty, and the level of suffering humans could endure at their hands. Zeus, without mercy punished Prometheus, a Titan; this raises questions about what Zeus would do to humans if they angered him in any way.
Bought With A Price
In contrast, as outlined in the mentioned passages and writings, the Christian perspective starkly challenged this belief. Christianity proposed a God who valued every individual immensely. The biblical narrative, particularly exemplified through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, highlighted God's profound regard for humanity, evident in His willingness to pay the ultimate price—the shedding of His own son's blood—for their redemption and salvation.
Despite certain Christians popularizing the idea that God despises humanity, this belief diverges from the teachings of the Bible. While the Bible acknowledges humanity's inclination to rebel against God and emphasizes divine retribution for unrighteousness and ungodliness, it does not equate to disdain for mankind.
The expression "purchased at a cost" signifies that believers hold inherent value to the purchaser, who, in this context, is Jesus Christ. Through the sacrifice of His Son, God has revealed the immense worth and significance He associates with everyone. This value isn't rooted in material possessions but in the eternal worth of believers' souls. Yes, imagine that God actually loves you and wants to be in a relationship with you.
While it may be challenging for us to fathom, Jesus' act was not based on what we could become but on who we are. According to Paul's guidance to the early Christian community, Christ's sacrifice resulted from profound love for everyone. Even though comprehending this might pose a challenge, particularly for those who identify as followers of Christ, Jesus' death encompasses not only our sins but also those of the entire world. Consider the subsequent passages for further insight:
These verses show God's love for everyone, with Jesus as the atonement for the world, not just believers. They highlight God's desire for all to be saved, showcasing His grace. Calling Jesus the "Lamb of God" reveals God's plan to address sin for all humanity, showing His intent for the world's salvation.
What was the price?
The text mentioned that we were bought with a price, but what was the price? The answer to that question is made abundantly clear too! Consider the following passages.
In Acts 20:28, we witness the church's sanctification through Jesus Christ's sacrificial death, emphasizing His bloodshed as the ultimate redemption price. Likewise, Peter parallels the fleeting value of silver and gold and the immeasurable worth of Christ's blood, highlighting it as the means of our redemption. Revelation 5:9 vividly depicts a visionary scene where Jesus, symbolized as a Lamb, receives praise for His sacrificial act of shedding blood to redeem people globally, uniting them under the banner of His atonement.
This passage, in 1 Corinthian 7, addressed by Paul to the Corinthian Church, remains as relevant today as it was in his time. The profound truth remains that each of us was purchased with the precious blood of Christ, emphasizing our immense value to the Father. God's willingness to pay such a price underscores our significance to Him, disproving any notion that we are insignificant in His eyes. Instead, God's profound love meets us where we are and invites us to draw near to Him.
What is our message?
Considering the following, what should our gospel message be? We would suggest that it go like this:
Surely, this represents the God of the bible better than the message “Repent or Burn.”
Acts 17:11
Become a Berean
“They received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day.”
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