When we declare that God is good and merciful, we must also acknowledge that His nature includes justice and judgment. Psalm 89:14 reminds us, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” God’s mercy does not negate His judgment but works in perfect harmony with His righteousness.
The Rise of Deceptive Narratives in the Church
In today’s age, many Christian churches are influenced by “woke mind” narratives that distort biblical truth and deceive this generation. These ideologies often prioritize human perspectives over God’s unchanging Word, leading people away from the Gospel. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 warns us, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
God’s Judgment Surpasses Human Expectations
When God judges, His actions often defy human understanding. The story of Adam and Eve demonstrates this. God judged their sin by expelling them from Paradise, bringing suffering upon all humanity as a result of their disobedience. Genesis 3:23-24 records, “So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”
This was not an act of cruelty but of justice. God’s holiness cannot coexist with sin. Yet, in His mercy, He provided hope for redemption through Jesus Christ.
Salvation Through Jesus Christ
Despite humanity’s fall, God sent His Son to save us. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate expression of God’s mercy and love. John 3:16 assures us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” However, being saved means living according to God’s principles, not manipulating His grace.
Paul warns against abusing God’s mercy in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” Salvation calls for a transformed life, one that honors God’s commandments and reflects His holiness.
God’s Sovereign Control
When we say “God is in control,” we must understand that His sovereignty includes the authority to judge as He wills. Daniel 4:35 declares, “All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’”
Repentance is the only way to live in God’s kingdom and escape judgment. Jesus Himself proclaimed in Luke 13:3, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
The Incompatibility of the Woke Mind with God
The “woke mind” emphasizes self-centered ideologies and human approval over God’s truth. This mindset cannot please God, as it often denies His authority and moral standards. Romans 8:7 explains, “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.”
To please God, we must renew our minds and align them with His Word. Romans 12:2 instructs, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Conclusion
God’s mercy and judgment are inseparable aspects of His nature. His goodness invites us to repentance and transformation, while His justice holds us accountable. As believers, we must reject deceptive ideologies that lead us away from truth and stand firm in God’s Word. Only through repentance and obedience can we find life in His kingdom.
Let us remember the words of Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
