Judgmental Jesus

We often see pictures of God in art. We see the wrath of God poured out in the Flood, (Genesis 6-9) the destruction of Sodom and Gommorah, (Genesis 19) and the gentle love of Christ. We see God the Father as wrathful and His Son, Jesus, as full of mercy and grace. How can this be? Do we have two versions of God? Do we see the Father as only wrathful and Jesus as only merciful? Where does that leave us in our Theology?

One of our base flaws is assuming that God the Father is only wrath. The Father shows His love to us by promising a Saviour. He shows mercy by not destroying us. His mercy is renewed every day. Indeed, He did impart judgement upon the wicked, and still does. Judgement does not show a lack of love. Indeed, if He didn't love those who were wronged in these matters, He would not punish those who were sinning against them. God is Holy, that is why He cannot just wink and ignore sin. To do so would make Him corrupt and a liar.

Not only that, but we sometimes see Jesus as the painters throughout time have portrayed Him. We see a gentle bearded white fellow who wouldn't offend anyone. However, even though Jesus was gentle with the meek and humble, He really let the wicked, like the Pharisees, have it. He called them snakes, told them they were the sons of Hell, and chased them with whips. (Matt. 23)

If we look at the book of Revelation, we also see Jesus with the authority to punish and condemn. He is given the power to judge the Earth and makes quick work of it. He is the Righteous Judge, and He does indeed judge. So what changed His mind? Did He lose His patience with us?

In a sense, yes. By the time we reach Him in Revelation He has come to judge the world; whereas in the Gospel He came to save us from our sins. He gives us one option, if we do not take it He will give us the other. There is not an option of neutral avoidance of the matter. We either capitulate or we die. We are on the wrong side of the battle and are given the option to change sides. God, both Father and Son, had mercy to give us one choice before handing us the other option.

So what do we say? Is God just waiting to impart judgement? No, if He were, He would. Instead He is waiting because He does not want any to perish but all to be saved. (II Peter 3:9) God wishes all to be saved, but will not force us to accept Him, instead He asks us to come to Him freely. But be warned, if we do not accept His conditions now, He will, as a Righteous Judge, give us what we deserve. And that, my friend, is not a pleasant thought.