Tag Archives: sin

Why Does God Send the Locust Plague in Joel?

Does Joel see God punishing Israel’s sin through the natural disasters such as the locust plague described in chapters 1 and 2? Perhaps (he has the right), but God likely has multiple purposes in a disaster. Whether we are sinful or righteous, our response to disaster ought to be the same: turn to Yahweh.

Is God’s Love Unconditional?

God’s unconditional love does not imply that what we do doesn’t matter. Nor does believing that what we do matters imply that God’s love is conditional. The biblical truth is that God loves us unconditionally, and that is precisely why what we do matters.

Our Painful Salvation

As we become aware of just how sinful we really are, the voice of condemnation may spin this awareness as a sign that we are not truly saved. But as painful as this awareness is, it is actually part of the process of sanctification and evidence of the Holy Spirit’s activity in our lives, the reproof of a loving Father. It is important that we realize that though sometimes our salvation is a painful one, it is a good kind of pain.

A Gospel of Reconciliation, Not Merely Justification

Paul’s gospel is not really one of justification, but of reconciliation. Humanity, because of its sin, exists in a state of rebellion and enmity with God. Despite our best efforts to improve ourselves we find we cannot. Because our problem is not just sinful behavior but really hatred and mistrust towards God, the solution for our problem is not just legal justification but reconciliation. God demonstrates his love for us despite our rebellion. We respond in loving faith and are empowered by the Holy Spirit to love and trust God, to no longer want to rebel.