Monday, April 19, 2010

Heidelberg Catechism (entry #3 from Section 4)

Here is what stuck out to me today:

"But divine love without divine wrath is meaningless. When we minimize God's justice, we do not exalt his mercy, we undermine it. God's mercy exhibits its full power and sweetness when we see it not merely as a general goodwill to all people, but as the means by which God's people are rescued, in Christ, from their just wrath & condemnation." (p. 35, DeYoung)

In our preaching & gospel presenting, it is certainly true that we must compellingly share the love of Christ. It is equally true that we must share the dire nature of man's situation apart from God's mercy; thereby, exulting in the wonder & magnificence of our redemption from the wrath of God.

We are definitely deserving of God's wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3). Then, there is the "divine intervention" in Ephesians 2:4, "but, God, who is rich in mercy..."

May we celebrate the justice of God...as much as we celebrate the mercy of God. Both prompt us to worship our Awesome Savior.

No comments:

Post a Comment