<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Untitled Document • The Goodness And Severity Of God
• A Seeming Contradiction?
• No, it is based upon the actions of each human being.

• Romans 11:21-23
• 21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.

• The Goodness Of God
• Is seen by His offer of grace,
• The tenderness He shows to us all.
• All because of the compassion of His character which was also in Jesus Christ.
• Kindness of heart and of action is how we describe God.

• The Severity Of God
• Exacting to the full the provisions of a statute (law or regulation).
• No allowances for special circumstances.
• No loopholes.
• Small sins, no matter how minor we might think them to be, is still punishable by the same sentence of a major sin (as we see it).

• THE GOODNESS OF GOD
• In creation Genesis 1:26-29
• Gave them dominion over every other creature vs.26
• Gave them plenty of food vs.29
• Gave them work to do to keep them busy Genesis 2:15
• When man fell in the garden, God announced His intention of sending a Savior; Genesis 3:15.
• This promise was renewed to Abraham; Genesis 22:17,18.
• Prophesies concerning the Christ declared His coming; Isaiah 53.
• Something to give each of us hope of salvation, because this was God’s plan from the beginning...
• The goodness toward the lost is seen in giving His Son; John 3:16; Romans 5:8.
• God gave the plan of salvation thru His Son; Romans 1:16,17.
• God's grace, extended thru His Son, has appeared unto all men; Titus 2:11.
• God does not want any soul to be lost; 1 Timothy 2:4.
• God is not willing for any to perish; 2 Peter 3:9.
• So He shows His goodness by giving everyone the same chance.
• The examples of Jesus exemplify the goodness of God; 1Timothy 3:16.
• Jesus was God manifest in the flesh; Colossians 1:13-19
• Christ is the very person of God; Colossians 1:15.
• Christ went about doing good; Acts 10:38.

• THE SEVERITY OF GOD
• Is seen because of the fall of man Genesis 3:14-24.
• He pronounced a curse on man, which transfers to us all in various ways.
• God drove him from the garden that had been prepared for him.
• God has prepared another place for us, and we can go there if we are good.
• Because of sin, God determined to make an adjustment before the great flood; Genesis 6:8-12.
• God destroyed every living thing that walked upon the dry land and flew in the air.
• Except the righteous (8 souls).
• Even God gets a do-over.
• How then can people say that God will not punish the wicked in eternity?
• Is seen in little things, seemingly insignificant.
• Lot's wife; Genesis 19:26 (don’t look back).
• Moses; Numbers 20:7-12 (struck when told to speak to rock).
• Nadab and Abihu; Leviticus 10:1,2 (strange fire).
• Ananias and Sapphira; Acts 5:1-11 (lying to the Holy Spirit),
• Herod in accepting glory that belonged to God; Acts 12:21-23

• THE GOODNESS AND SEVERITY IN JUDGMENT
• Goodness; Matthew 25:34-40 .
• Rewarded for service.
• Eternal bliss.
• Severity; Matthew 25:41-46 .
• Unfaithful punished.
• Eternal punishment.
• Each person judged by things written in the books according to their works; Revelation 20:12.

• CONCLUSION:
• The goodness of God should lead us to repentance Romans 2:4.
• The severity of God should cause us to desire to avoid God's wrath.
• God has been so good to us in providing a plan of salvation how can we escape the severity of God if we fail to obey?
• If the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 1 Peter 4:18.

By Carey Scott

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