Deuteronomy Chp 13
The Old Testament I think is filled with examples of God as a jealous God. He is also a God of mercy, but here he is clearly not. Evil-doers are to be purged:
1 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he preached rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery; he has tried to turn you from the way the LORD your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.
And further into this chapter, God deals with evil-doers more harshly:
6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods" (gods that neither you nor your fathers have known, 7 gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), 8 do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him. 9 You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. 10 Stone him to death, because he tried to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
In contrast, the God of the New Testament - Jesus - is filled with patience, mercy, and forgiveness.
12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:12-16)
My Prayer: I am SO thankful that I have a God who "so loved me that he sent his one and only son" to die for me...that I can have forgiveness and eternal life. I see your abounding love for me in so many ways that I am blown away that you can love so much. Thank you God. Forgive me Lord that I often take for granted that blessings in my life are gifts from you. Forgive me for my own blasphemy and any false teaching, including any false teaching that occurs as a result of my lack of faith. Help me fall deeper in love with you and draw nearer to you in an ongoing conversation and intimate relationship so I can be more pure and more like you.
My Prayer: I am SO thankful that I have a God who "so loved me that he sent his one and only son" to die for me...that I can have forgiveness and eternal life. I see your abounding love for me in so many ways that I am blown away that you can love so much. Thank you God. Forgive me Lord that I often take for granted that blessings in my life are gifts from you. Forgive me for my own blasphemy and any false teaching, including any false teaching that occurs as a result of my lack of faith. Help me fall deeper in love with you and draw nearer to you in an ongoing conversation and intimate relationship so I can be more pure and more like you.
