Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

The fact that the Bible is God’s progressive revelation of Himself to us through historical events and through His relationship with people throughout history might contribute to misconceptions about what God is like in the Old Testament as compared to the New Testament. However, when one reads both the Old and the New Testaments, it becomes evident that God is not different from one testament to another and that God’s wrath and His love are revealed in both testaments.

For example, throughout the Old Testament, God is declared to be a “compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,” (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 4:31; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:5, 15; 108:4; 145:8; Joel 2:13). Yet in the New Testament, God’s loving-kindness and mercy are manifested even more fully through the fact that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Throughout the Old Testament, we also see God dealing with Israel the same way a loving father deals with a child. When they willfully sinned against Him and began to worship idols, God would chastise them. Yet, each time He would deliver them once they had repented of their idolatry.

This is much the same way God deals with Christians in the New Testament. For example, Hebrews 12:6 tells us that “the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son,” and Romans 1:18 says that the wrath of God is still “being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.”

While we might see one aspect of His nature revealed in certain passages of Scripture more than other aspects, God Himself does not change.

July 15 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Shirley H Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!

Consider Abraham sitting under the terebinth tree. Grace appeared in human form revealing a peek at salvation! All believers are joined to Our Heavenly Father.

1 Corinthians 13:11,12 - " When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but I (grew), I put away childish things....Now we see in a mirror, dimly...but then I shall know just as I am known." We all have questions...

1Corinthians 14:20, "Brethren, do not be like little children in understanding...but in understanding be mature."

Exodus 20:1,2 - God declares who He is, and what He has done for us.

Proverbs 22:6, A child who has been trained, will not depart from his learning. God teaches us His ways and disciplines because of His Great Love.

Romans 8:15, - We have received the Spirit of adoption and can cry like Christ did "Abba"!

Malachi 4:2, "But to you who fear My name the the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves."

Psalm 131:1,2 - "...Lord, my heart is..not concerned with great matters,...I have calmed and quoted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother..."

Matthew 10:16, "Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves." We will need to know God's ways.

Romans 16:19, "For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil."

Consider the work of God on your behalf. He has made the crooked straight for you. He planned it all before you were born. It is His gift of Grace and love!

July 16 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report