"God-trend!"

For Sunday, March 21, 2021

Jonah 2:8 NLT, Jonah praying: “Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies.”

It’s important to understand the character of God. He is loving and forgiving. He wants us to do well in this life. His desire is that no one would perish, but that all would repent and return. He’s a God of second-chances, and then third-chances, etc. He loves us so much that he sent his Son to pay the price for our sin, so mankind could be guaranteed a presence with Him in eternity. That’s the “God-trend!”

In the church where I grew up, they had a painting. I didn’t like it then, and I still don’t. God was at the top in the clouds; some poor sinner was in the middle, on his knees begging for mercy; and the bottom was filled with the fires of hell. God’s finger was pointing down, condemning this sinner to the lake of fire. I think that’s faulty theology. God doesn’t condemn us so much as we condemn ourselves when we fail to accept His forgiveness and mercy. He’s given us chance after chance to say, “Yes!”

When you understand that our Lord is so loving and merciful, why would you choose anything else?

Blessings and safety this Sabbath!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406