God’s Desire

God loves the lost, and God’s desire is that the lost should be saved. This fact is missed because many people have an image of God as some old bearded guy sitting on a throne somewhere ‘up there.’ He’s just waiting for the opportunity to punish us whenever we do anything displeasing to Him. They think He looks for that opportunity eagerly.  They imagine He relishes the thought of another chance to condemn us to pain and suffering. He is angry, and He can’t wait to give us what we deserve!

Is that an accurate understanding of God’s desire for the world of sinners? Many people think that God can’t wait for the opportunity to crush them, especially those who once knew Him but have fallen away. Those people assume He wants people to suffer and die, just because ‘they deserve it.’ The scourge of AIDS, STDs, poverty and violence are examples of the supposed ‘proof’ those people use as a way to vindicate why they think God hates sinners; more so in the case of those who have turned from following Christ. Fortunately, that way of thinking is far from the truth revealed in God’s Word of God’s desire for the lost.

Does God truly hate people who disregard His Word and live their lives contrary to what He has declared?  This kind of thinking is rampant in the world today and, sadly, in the church as well. If it’s true then there may not be much hope for any of us. If it isn’t true, then we need to discover the real nature of God and how He views the rebellious heart. So then, how does God view those who are in rebellion against Him?

I’m not referring to people who don’t know any better, like the proverbial ‘pigmies in Africa’ or those who have never heard about the forgiveness found in Christ. I’m referring to those who know better but have, for some reason or another, fallen away from serving the Lord. Does God then count the fallen as His enemies, beyond any hope of forgiveness or restoration? The answer is found as we get a proper understanding of Who God is, and what His heart attitude is toward people who have rejected His truth – the Word of God.

Jesus teaches us that, first and foremost, we need to get our own lives straight. We need to come to understand the truth of God’s desire and Word and then apply it in our own lives before we concern ourselves with others. That same premise holds true when thinking of the ‘pygmies’ or anyone else. Gaining an untainted understanding of God’s character and nature will allow us to focus clearly on spiritual things.

Jesus summed it up this way;

Matt 7:3-5

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

God is love, and God’s desire is for every one of us to come to a place of fellowship with Him. It is, after all, the reason why He sent Christ into the world – right? That commitment of love and sacrifice doesn’t end if someone strays from the path. God offers forgiveness and cleansing to those who seek Him for it – regardless of what they have done. Once we have made this adjustment then we can move on!

So then, how does God view those who have rebelled, or are continuing to rebel, against Him? Is He the angry and wrathful Judge that so many people accuse Him of being, or is something else going on?

This is Part One of a multi-part series. Keep watch for the next installment!