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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
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Depending upon the Holy Spirit for all you do?
Read through the following study by Tenchi for more on this topic
https://christianforums.net/threads/without-the-holy-spirit-we-can-do-nothing.109419/
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How are famous preachers sometimes effected by sin?
Join Sola Scriptura for a discussion on the subject
https://christianforums.net/threads/anointed-preaching-teaching.109331/#post-1912042
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Verses for God's omnibenevolence please
- Thread starter protos
- Start date
Omnibenevolence
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Omnibenevolence is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "unlimited or infinite benevolence". The word does not appear in any popular dictionary, but is a technical term used more in the academic literature on the philosophy of religion, often in the context of the problem of evil and in theodical responses, and even in such context, the phrases "perfect goodness" or "moral perfection" are often preferred.
The idea of God's omnibenevolence in Christianity is based on Psalm 18:30, "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him."
It is also supported by Psalm 19:7, "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple."
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnibenevolence
==========================
Also, here is a list I put together...
in regards to His goodness:
read the book of Psalm 107
Also:
Romans 2:4
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
showing some verses containing the word "perfect" in reference to God... that is, being that, His perfection IS Goodness working in and through all those that are His.
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
2 Samuel 22:31
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
1 Kings 8:60-61
60 That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. 61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
Job 37:16
Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
Psalm 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psalm 138:8
The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
============
Examples that we too must be made perfect:
Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Luke 6:40
The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
John 17:23
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Colossians 1:28
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
2 Timothy 3:17
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
========
Here is something to think about in regards to the omnibenevolence of God
in regards to his mercy and grace, being that, His mercy and grace is another form of His goodness:
Romans 11:1-32
1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 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. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Omnibenevolence is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "unlimited or infinite benevolence". The word does not appear in any popular dictionary, but is a technical term used more in the academic literature on the philosophy of religion, often in the context of the problem of evil and in theodical responses, and even in such context, the phrases "perfect goodness" or "moral perfection" are often preferred.
The idea of God's omnibenevolence in Christianity is based on Psalm 18:30, "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him."
It is also supported by Psalm 19:7, "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple."
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnibenevolence
==========================
Also, here is a list I put together...
in regards to His goodness:
read the book of Psalm 107
Also:
Romans 2:4
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
showing some verses containing the word "perfect" in reference to God... that is, being that, His perfection IS Goodness working in and through all those that are His.
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
2 Samuel 22:31
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
1 Kings 8:60-61
60 That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. 61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
Job 37:16
Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
Psalm 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psalm 138:8
The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
============
Examples that we too must be made perfect:
Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Luke 6:40
The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
John 17:23
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Colossians 1:28
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
2 Timothy 3:17
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
========
Here is something to think about in regards to the omnibenevolence of God
in regards to his mercy and grace, being that, His mercy and grace is another form of His goodness:
Romans 11:1-32
1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 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. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
.
Thank you for your reply Relic.
I don't mean to sound argumentative, but I have a few questions. Well, right off the bat, I don't see any way that Psalms 18:30 and 19:7 can be used to support omnibenevolence. It is very likely that I'm maybe missing something regarding the sociohistoric verbage (will check with people in that case). To me it seems that God is used as an unfailing refuge.
Psalm 107 did strike me as a serious candidate for omnibenevolence, but if you read what the unfailing and endless love is expressed and supported by (107:2-7, 9-14, 16-20, 23-30, 33-42), you understand that this is not the literal concept of omnibenevolence, and must be a polemic way of expressing gratitude to God who "loves you a lot," or it can be interpreted in a non-omnibenevolent way as, "He loves you as much as possible, but there are limits that you place."
Regarding Romans 2:4, I don't know if omnibenevolence can be equated with perfect goodness and perfect love. Love can be perfect, but that doesn't elaborate on whether its boundaries can be set by something (e.g. people).
James 1:17 can also be used to support omnibenevolence, however, if you look at it in context, including the well-known James 1:13, you'll see this has to do with good being righteousness being sinlessness, so it is not the endless physical manifestation of God's love, which is a verse I want to find in the Bible supporting, but the spiritual.
I think that 2 Corinthians 13:11 can be construed as potentially pro-omnibenevolent the phrase, "the God of love and peace." Although I could use the argument that this is similar to Exodus 15:3: "The Lord is a man of war," to mean that God's love and peace are what He tries to use as much as possible, but stops when certain limitations occur, i.e. human free will. However, I think that it's a weak argument, and since my purpose for making this thread is not to argue for non-omnibenevolence, but to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the Bible supports omnibenevolence, I think it's more proper to look at Pauline terminology similar to the phrase.
Luckily, II Corinthians is among the 7 (8 if you count Colossians which is improbable to be non-Pauline even in skeptical and secular opinions), we can authentically examine any similar phrases. Unfortunately for us II Corinthians 13:11 is a farewell as opposed to a doctrinal expoundiation, so we're forced to find an alternative verse. We don't find much luck regarding what love is in Romans, since Paul is clearly talking about the spiritual aspect of it (5:8, etc). It's not until 12:9-21, where Paul describes what love is, but then he is still talking about spiritual love as he does throughout Romans (5:8, etc). In Romans 13:8-14 we have the connection between love and God's commands. I Corinthians 13:1-13 is a disappointment as well. Paul is describing the nature of love with respect to everything else from a human point of view.
The other epistles don't shed much light on the issue. I don't think that the phrase "God of love," could be successfully passed as endless love regarding pain in the world prior to the one to come. Wherever Paul mentions love (and that's quite a few places), he is talking about either the love between people, the love of God's sacrifice on the cross, or building a relationship between the two and salvation. "God of love and peace," is likely referring to His salvation.
I don't mean to sound argumentative, but I have a few questions. Well, right off the bat, I don't see any way that Psalms 18:30 and 19:7 can be used to support omnibenevolence. It is very likely that I'm maybe missing something regarding the sociohistoric verbage (will check with people in that case). To me it seems that God is used as an unfailing refuge.
Psalm 107 did strike me as a serious candidate for omnibenevolence, but if you read what the unfailing and endless love is expressed and supported by (107:2-7, 9-14, 16-20, 23-30, 33-42), you understand that this is not the literal concept of omnibenevolence, and must be a polemic way of expressing gratitude to God who "loves you a lot," or it can be interpreted in a non-omnibenevolent way as, "He loves you as much as possible, but there are limits that you place."
Regarding Romans 2:4, I don't know if omnibenevolence can be equated with perfect goodness and perfect love. Love can be perfect, but that doesn't elaborate on whether its boundaries can be set by something (e.g. people).
James 1:17 can also be used to support omnibenevolence, however, if you look at it in context, including the well-known James 1:13, you'll see this has to do with good being righteousness being sinlessness, so it is not the endless physical manifestation of God's love, which is a verse I want to find in the Bible supporting, but the spiritual.
I think that 2 Corinthians 13:11 can be construed as potentially pro-omnibenevolent the phrase, "the God of love and peace." Although I could use the argument that this is similar to Exodus 15:3: "The Lord is a man of war," to mean that God's love and peace are what He tries to use as much as possible, but stops when certain limitations occur, i.e. human free will. However, I think that it's a weak argument, and since my purpose for making this thread is not to argue for non-omnibenevolence, but to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the Bible supports omnibenevolence, I think it's more proper to look at Pauline terminology similar to the phrase.
Luckily, II Corinthians is among the 7 (8 if you count Colossians which is improbable to be non-Pauline even in skeptical and secular opinions), we can authentically examine any similar phrases. Unfortunately for us II Corinthians 13:11 is a farewell as opposed to a doctrinal expoundiation, so we're forced to find an alternative verse. We don't find much luck regarding what love is in Romans, since Paul is clearly talking about the spiritual aspect of it (5:8, etc). It's not until 12:9-21, where Paul describes what love is, but then he is still talking about spiritual love as he does throughout Romans (5:8, etc). In Romans 13:8-14 we have the connection between love and God's commands. I Corinthians 13:1-13 is a disappointment as well. Paul is describing the nature of love with respect to everything else from a human point of view.
The other epistles don't shed much light on the issue. I don't think that the phrase "God of love," could be successfully passed as endless love regarding pain in the world prior to the one to come. Wherever Paul mentions love (and that's quite a few places), he is talking about either the love between people, the love of God's sacrifice on the cross, or building a relationship between the two and salvation. "God of love and peace," is likely referring to His salvation.
protos,
Sorry, you are way too analytical for me in this picking apart each scripture to find where His omnibenevolence is not, instead of where it is in each particular scripture. I see it everywhere.
I see His "perfect goodness" and "moral perfection" in ALL of His Word.
It is even in suffering that we go through that, we then, in the end of it, come to find His omnibenevolence was at work through the Holy spirit at work in us the whole time.
It is in the process.... It is in the beginning and in the end of all the trials, all the long suffering, IS His perfect goodness revealed. That is where you see the Omnibenevolence of God.
No need to analyze scriptures and say it is not really there in that one or the other one, because in essence His Omnibenevolence IS at work throughout as a process that is constantly at work without end.
Many times it is not revealed until the end of a matter, but it is at work throughout the whole of duration of that matter.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
His omnibenevolence IS constantly at work from beginning to end in any situation. While we are still on this physical earth we strive to reach the prize.
.
cyberjosh
Member
I personally have never heard the term or exact concept of "omnibenevolence" before. Let me give my thoughts on something you said though to explore this concept:
I think you about hit it dead on. God's love does not override his righteous judgement. We cannot really carry omnibenevolence to any full extent without claiming "universal salvation" where God extends love and benevolence unconditionally toward all people to the the point of saving all people.
The only sense of omnibenevolence which can be properly espoused in the Bible are the common factors of God's blessings upon believers and unbelievers alike, a common grace (but which is not salvation sufficient/type grace).
In line with the "common ground" idea of God's benevolence toward all people are verses like:
"He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45).
"{God]...Who in times past suffered [had patience with] all nations to walk in their own ways [for a while]" (Acts 14:16).
We also see original blessings bestowed on all creatures in Genesis such as "be fruitful and multiply".
Also notice the Covenant God made with Noah (who is the father us of all - all nations) and his descendands (all people):
"And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth" (Genesis 9:1).
"Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying,
Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth.
"I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth."
God said, "This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; I set My [rain]bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth." (Genesis 9:8-13)
God also planned to include all nations (the Gentiles) in his eschatalogical plan for salvation (not to say that every Gentile will be saved but that all nations will have an equal opportunity to obtain God's salvation).
This is the only extent I see for the "omnibenevolence" principle.
Although as a general principle of God's nature the Bible does say this about him: "The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy." (Psalm 145:8) We can even see that "slow to anger" principle showing through toward pagans in what was said in Acts 14:16 (which I quoted above), he was patient with them and merciful before He judged them.
God Bless,
~Josh
I think you about hit it dead on. God's love does not override his righteous judgement. We cannot really carry omnibenevolence to any full extent without claiming "universal salvation" where God extends love and benevolence unconditionally toward all people to the the point of saving all people.
The only sense of omnibenevolence which can be properly espoused in the Bible are the common factors of God's blessings upon believers and unbelievers alike, a common grace (but which is not salvation sufficient/type grace).
In line with the "common ground" idea of God's benevolence toward all people are verses like:
"He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45).
"{God]...Who in times past suffered [had patience with] all nations to walk in their own ways [for a while]" (Acts 14:16).
We also see original blessings bestowed on all creatures in Genesis such as "be fruitful and multiply".
Also notice the Covenant God made with Noah (who is the father us of all - all nations) and his descendands (all people):
"And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth" (Genesis 9:1).
"Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying,
Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth.
"I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth."
God said, "This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; I set My [rain]bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth." (Genesis 9:8-13)
God also planned to include all nations (the Gentiles) in his eschatalogical plan for salvation (not to say that every Gentile will be saved but that all nations will have an equal opportunity to obtain God's salvation).
This is the only extent I see for the "omnibenevolence" principle.
Although as a general principle of God's nature the Bible does say this about him: "The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy." (Psalm 145:8) We can even see that "slow to anger" principle showing through toward pagans in what was said in Acts 14:16 (which I quoted above), he was patient with them and merciful before He judged them.
God Bless,
~Josh
M
MrVersatile48
Guest
Josh,
You said most of what came to my mind, right from the OP
The Bible repeatedly says that God's judgements against sin are holy, just & perfect
He proves His perfect love by Jesus - Almighty God in human form - coming to Earth to pay the penalty for sin
& calling everyone. everywhere to repent, ask His forgiveness & invite Him to live in your heart as Saviour & Lord
His perfect love warns us all of the eternal consequence of refusing the glorious good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
It is not for false prophets to sit in judgement on God & deny the reality of Hell - see http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=24945
God bless all who acknowledge Him as Creator & Lord!
Ian
You said most of what came to my mind, right from the OP
The Bible repeatedly says that God's judgements against sin are holy, just & perfect
He proves His perfect love by Jesus - Almighty God in human form - coming to Earth to pay the penalty for sin
& calling everyone. everywhere to repent, ask His forgiveness & invite Him to live in your heart as Saviour & Lord
His perfect love warns us all of the eternal consequence of refusing the glorious good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
It is not for false prophets to sit in judgement on God & deny the reality of Hell - see http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=24945
God bless all who acknowledge Him as Creator & Lord!
Ian