It has been a long time but it came to me today that I am bothered by the fact that when I was growing up, I was left with the impression that God was just waiting around to swat me when I did something wrong.
So, I want to express to any reader out there that this is totally a myth. God is not waiting around for you to mess up so he can slap you. Old or new.
The best statement of this I can find is in Ezekiel.
“I don’t take delight in the death of the wicked, do I?” asks the Lord GOD. “Shouldn’t I rather delight when he turns from his wicked ways and lives? – Ezekiel 18:23
A diligent reader will read on and also learn that though God does not wish for the death of the wicked, He is also just. So it isn’t a free-love sort of society we are talking about.
The new testament example I think is known by all, even those who aren’t Christians.
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his unique Son so that everyone who believes in him might not be lost but have eternal life. – John 3:16
I find it useful to also know John 3:17.
Because God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. – John 3:17
I truly wish that Sunday schools would teach this better. Or if they do, that the ones I went to did.
All bible quotes on this page are from the International Standard Version (ISV).