Thought in development...

Had a random thought during Pastor D's sermon last night...

I've heard people say before "I don't believe in a God that would damn anyone to hell" "God is love," and things of the like. And, as tempting and warm & fuzzy that is, it's always bothered me. Partially because it seemed like a cop-out.

First of all, how good is a parent that is all-mercy with no discipline? What do they end up with? Spoiled, self-indulgent kids. So, a holy and righteous Creator and Judge of the universe that's all mercy and no discipline? The Bible doesn't back that up.

Second, if parents ask for no accountability and answering for what you've done from their kids, what do they get? Self-centered, selfish kids. So, a holy and righteous God with no accountability? Not Biblical either.

Finally, saying God is only love seems to disqualify the wondrous sacrifice Jesus made for us. If God didn't expect our "sin accounts" to be balanced, what was the point of what Jesus did? If God is holy and righteous (and He is) , our sin deserves death. Sin and those who sin cannot be near God. Thus, Christ's redeeming gift for all of mankind. To bring us back to God.

Still pondering...