Responding to God's Strictness

Responding to God's Strictness

 

Romans 11:22, Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

God’s balanced nature is set forth to grip our attention! The verse pairs severity with goodness, indicating God is both just to those who fall away and loving to those who trust Him.

 Message:

How Should We Respond Appropriately?

What does God require of us now that we’ve embraced the reality of His strict judgment and justice? What is an appropriate reaction to this truth?

Believers should respond to the severity of God with humble fear, avoiding spiritual pride, and continuing steadfastly in His goodness by faith. –Dr. Martyn Llyod-Jones

“Behold” again is one key word in this observation…. Romans 11:22, “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God”. God wants us to ‘realize, perceive, know, experience, think about, and learn…His “severity”. 

Such insight and conclusions should control and influence us for righteousness! God wants us to ‘notice,’ ‘dwell on,’ and ‘linger’ on the truth that He deals with unbelief very severely…we of necessity must open our eyes of faith. Allow ourselves to sit with this grand insight about God….

Severity means "judgment and destruction", showing that God does not ignore sin or lack of faith. –Bible Gateway

God gives specific attitudes for us believers:

     1.    Avoid an Arrogant Attitude as if it were the Plague! Believers are warned not to look down on others, brag about being chosen by God or become arrogant about our standing. Paul explicitly states in Romans 11:20, “Be not highminded, but fear.” Beloved, our spiritual standing depends on faith rather than personal merit.  We are told to stay humble remembering the grace of God, and thankful rather than proud, knowing that faith requires continuing in God’s kindness.

o   In this verse, the Apostle Paul is writing to Gentile Christians, warning them not to become arrogant toward the Jewish people who rejected Christ. Paul explains that the unbelieving Israelites were metaphorically "broken off" from the tree, and the Gentiles were grafted in purely by faith, not because of any inherent superiority. –Bible Gateway

o   “It means people should not be proud or arrogant about their faith, but instead stay humble and respectful before God.” –Bible Gateway

Beloved, we must maintain a respectful, humble reverence for God’s strict holiness and recognize the serious reality of turning away from faith.  

2. Maintain a Healthy Respect for God’s Capacity to Judge Perfectly! You see recognizing “God’s judgment on unbelief and disobedience produces a sober, reverent awe that keeps a person from taking God’s mercy for granted.” –Desiring God

• To sustain a healthy regard, you must remember God’s supreme holiness, His fair justice, and His power over all life.
• God is holy: He cannot look at evil and He loves what is right and good.
• God is fair: He sees all hidden actions and judges every person with total truth.
• God has total power: He holds the power of life and death, and His word always comes true.
• To stay humble and trust that God sees and understands everything perfectly.
• Perfect sight: we only see a small part of a situation, but God sees the whole picture.
• Pure justice: our judgment can be unfair or biased, while divine judgment is always fair.
• Humility: this reminds us not to judge others harshly, since only God knows a person’s true heart and life story.
• Peace: this idea allows us to let go of anger, trusting that true justice is in hands higher than our own.

An everyday comparison is watching a single replay of a sports game from a bad angle versus having a referee who can see the game from every camera angle at the exact same time. We have the bad angle, but God has the perfect view.

• What else should we do to Respect God’s Severe Nature?
• Humble your heart by admitting your mistakes quickly and asking for His forgiveness each day.
• Obey His word by following His commands closely because you know He sees everything you do. Knowing that judgment is inevitable helps us live responsibly. We are not just living for today but for eternity.  
• Do not judge others’ hearts by leaving the final judgment to God, since only He knows a person’s true heart. The lord shall brings every work in to judgement with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14.
• Trust His timing by resting in the fact that God will make all wrong things right in the end.

In our eyes, these ideas might seem to be rather harsh and probably even cruel and uncompassionate acts of judgment. But this is perceiving God accurately.

3. Continue in God’s Goodness Rooted in Faith! Believers must remain rooted in faith rather than drifting into the hard-hearted unbelief that brings about God’s cutting off or discipline. Continuing in God’s goodness means staying close to Him, letting your life grow deep roots, and living each day with a thankful heart.

Conclusion:

God’s standards of absolute truth and righteousness must be regarded as unchanging and not subject to human negotiations or feelings.

• Absolute standards? The Bible presents God’s moral law as holy, just, and completely different from evil. Beloved, these are the principles we live by.
• What now for us Believers? We are encouraged to stand firm in our faith and avoid diluting biblical boundaries. Beloved, standing firm may be difficult in our cultural and at this moment, but we must not compromise for anyone.
• Remember the many scriptural warnings to never compromise with worldly ideas! The Bible frequently warns against adopting double standards or mixing godly principles with worldly corruption (2 Cor. 6:14; 1 King 18:21; Rom. 12:2; Jas. 4:4).

Refuse to compromise on right and wrong! When considering fundamental issues of right and wrong protect your moral integrity and avoid supporting situations you know to be unethical.

• It is advisable to preserve a godly character! Yielding on fundamental principles chips away at your perception of God as uncompromising, your self-respect, and the very foundation of your values (Matt. 6:24).
• Take a stand to avoid unscriptural and unethical choices! An unprincipled compromise is not just about feeling uncomfortable; it means agreeing to do something you know is wrong. Compromising with sin, false teachings, or worldly values is turning away from God’s holiness (Eph. 6:14). 
• Choose to exemplify stability and steadfastness! A person who refuses to break under pressure becomes a steady anchor for others in a confusing world (1 Cor. 15:58).  

Stay connected to the Lord on purpose! Keep your heart close to Jesus like a plant gets water from its roots. Trust God daily and habitually! Lean on His love when life is hard or confusing. Give thanks and cultivate a spirit of gratitude! Remember to thank God for His gifts all through the day.

Grow stronger in the Bible; learn God’s true words to keep your mind steady. Stand firm in the Lord no matter what comes. Do not let worries or bad choices move you away from your safe place in the Lord.

Beloved, God is both just to those who fall away and loving to those who trust Him.