One God ... by Andrea Marino

The Bible provides a necessary distinction between God in the Old Testament and God in the New Testament. Nonetheless, the Lord God is One. (Deuteronomy 6:4). I can’t tell you how many times I come across people rejecting God based on Old Testament accounts. These accounts are to alert us to the consequences of living our own way. It is appointed for all men to die and then be judged. (Hebrews 9:27). That should alarm everyone. But to assume God is only harsh and demanding is tragic because He is love. In fact, God so loved that He emptied Himself and took on a body of flesh to identify with the people He created. (1 John 4:8, Philippians 2:7). Such an astounding thought is the Creator of everything willing to put Himself on a level with fallen man. No greater love is there. (John 15:13). Jesus laid down His life to make a way back to the Father.

We could all have a ‘bone to pick’ with Adam and Eve for what they did and were cast out of paradise for. If only they hadn’t disobeyed God. If only we could be good enough - able enough - to reach heaven on our own. Unfortunately, possessing the same nature as the first parents is something all people need to come to grips with, and God wants us to know. Deception abounds in the world, but greater is the One of compassion and mercy able to keep us from being consumed. (Lamentations 3:22,23).

Arguments against God range from the basic: why He put a forbidden tree in the Garden and why He did not destroy the devil to the complex, such as found in 2 Kings 8:12: Elisha’s foretelling of horrific killing to happen to the Israelites by Hazael, king of Syria. A chilling account and yet, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16 NKJ). It is a matter of our own free will to believe or not believe God, to trust or not trust Him, to love or not love Him. Without faith, the natural inclination is to reject God, blaming Him for every terrible thing that happens in our world. The aforementioned consequence, befalling the ancient Israelites is explained in 1 Kings 19:18. They had bowed down to Baal. As any loving father, God sets a precedent. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. Do not have other gods besides Me.” (Exodus 20:2.3 HCS).

The entire Bible is full of accounts of death and destruction for those forsaking God. The book of Revelation foretells this same fate of doom to those alive today who remain without a ‘circumcise of heart’, one that takes responsibility for personal sin, which is against God. He will not dwell with evil men. (Psalm 5:4) Isn’t God good for wanting us to know? We dare not miss the entire Bible story, all about Jesus. God’s promise to His children is of a new heaven and earth.

Paradise is being prepared for those who put their faith in God the Savior. Moses brought us the law; Jesus came with mercy and grace, fulfilling the law on our behalf. Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. (1 John 1:29). This is who God is; this is what He did for us. Jesus said: “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me.” (John 14: 11 HCS).

Andrea Marino

Andrea is mom to four great kids and Grammy to four delightful grands. Passionate about Jesus, friends, and people, Andrea loves to share all He has taught her in life. When not writing, Andrea enjoys simple things, such as music, heartwarming movies, reinventing recipes to be healthier, and cycling along one wooded road or other with the Lord.

Please visit her Facebook blog: https:// www.facebook.com/In-The-Way-Everlasting-1770074853062907 Andrea is always ready to hear thoughts from her readers. Or you can email her at: rapture927@aol.com

Email: rapture927@aol.com Facebook Blog: In the Way Everlasting