When the young man first learned about Jesus, he couldn't fully understand or appreciate what God was like, and what He’d done for him. He didn’t know how God could love him after all the terrible sins he’d committed, even denying God’s existence.
No one can fully understand God. He is much higher in His wisdom and His awesome abilities.
Some among us resent or criticize what He does.
In the Old Covenant Scriptures, God commands His people Israel to “completely destroy them!” All men, women, children, and even animals, in the cities He was giving them, as He’d promised (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). God hates their sins, not their souls!
But, in the Covenant God makes with us, we read, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter3:9).
Think of the most vile persons (Hitler, terrorists, pedophiles…). The Lord of heaven and earth is (was) still hoping they’d repent. You might think this unfair, but the God who created them, and you, to worship Him only, requires repentance.
Remember what King David said when he’d sinned against God? The king was given a choice - one of three punishments (1 Chronicles 21).
In our limited knowledge of what God is like, we might not see the big problem that David wanted to know how many people he ruled. It was a big deal to God! It showed David’s human frailty - pride and arrogance. David liked the power play, trusting in himself rather than in God. David made his choice, but there were harsh consequences.
David said…“I am in great distress; please let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are very great. But do not let me fall into human hands” (1 Chronicles 21:13).
You may know someone who hesitates calling God their “heavenly FATHER.” They may have had an abusive parent or been abandoned by their father. But God says, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5).
Please read these truths in our Bible.
God is merciful and loving, but He won’t excuse your sins unless you repent and trust and obey Him.
“So having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now proclaiming to mankind that all people everywhere are to repent” (Acts 17:30).
“And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation” (2 Peter 3:15).
The Lord is waiting. He wants you to repent.
You can have Jesus as your Savior, but He wants you to make Him LORD of your life!