The Dark Little Secrets

Have you ever discovered something that for the longest time you were clueless on?  When you discover that there is either another side to the story, or you get the real details about the incident, you not only feel relieved, but justified in knowing the whole truth.  I don't think any of us likes knowing just a part of the story, we like to be informed from the beginning to the end.  Sometimes, we don't get the whole truth, because of the dark little secrets that are held back.  The part of any story where someone may be implicated or exposed, that is the part gets excluded.  I believe there is a story line in scripture that is not being told. Is the God of the Bible being properly represented by today's pulpits?  Is God only about love and mercy, or is there another side of this God the church is afraid to defend or expose.  It the God of the Bible a warrior, and has He  changed since the days of the old Testament?  Yes the Bible describes Him as a warrior and no He has not changed since the O.T.

Isaiah 42:13  13The LORD goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes. Revelation 19:11 and 15  11Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.   15From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. Revelation of John 6:16 16calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb I think this verse in the Book of Revelation is interesting; "wrath of the Lamb" gosh that is an oxymoron. However, I find it exceedingly interesting that this aspect of God is not talked about ever in the Church. It's as if this side of God is missing.  Doesn't that disturb you?  Congregations across the land are getting only half the story, and even if the story they hear is a good story, it only half the story. Just a little honesty here!  Where is the clarity on who God really is?    We hear about His servanthood, His laying down His for us, and His everlasting love that He has poured out upon all mankind. Yes and amen on all of this, but is there more to who He is?   The dark little secret is He is also a God of justice and righteousness. Why is this so distasteful in todays culture?  We love when the hero's in our movies kick butt, and kill the bad guys.  I have been in the movie theater when the crowd cheers when bad guys get mulched.  But when it comes to God, we need Him to be this loving, caring, easy going God, who won't hurt a flea. Well, got news for you. Look at the verse above, the same Lamb of God whose death on the cross brought salvation to the world is the same lamb of God who is running the destruction in the Book of Revelation.  Stop denying that God is both Savior and Judge, because one day you will stand before Him either as one who will receive your reward for serving him, or your punishment for rejecting Him. Your choice.... How will God judge us? John Piper has a four minute clip that you might want to watch.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWzH1vdo1pI

Comments

[David Diers]

Good stuff Larry! Will you be making your blog posts available via a daily email in the future?

[Ron Sawtell]

Yes that disturbs me very much!!!!!Keep the truth coming Larry!!!!