06.20.01

God is a God of love that is very clear. In John 3:16 the Bible tells us “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” In Romans 5:8 we are told “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” 1 John 4:7-8 says “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” Many other verses speak of God’s great love as well.

Because of love God is also a God of justice and there is not only a place of eternal bliss called “heaven” there is also a place of eternal torment called “hell.” In Romans 12:19 we are told “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” There is a thin, invisible line between God’s love and God’s wrath. Some have crossed that line prior to arriving at their eternal destination.

Ananias and Sapphira his wife in Acts chapter 5 are examples of those crossing the invisible line. They had sold some land and were giving the money to God but they lied about how much they were giving. They were both struck down and died after lying about this transaction. In the OT there are many examples of those crossing the line such as Korah, and Achan.

Is there still an invisible line between God’s love and His wrath today? I read a troubling story in the newspaper Sunday. A pastor’s wife told of when she was a little girl and her mother had went to church one Sunday taking her eight children with her. That morning the mother was saved, receiving Christ Jesus as her Savior. However, the husband stayed home in bed. While the rest of the family was gone to church the house caught fire and the husband perished in the fire.

How close are you to crossing the line? Are you straddling it? You know what God wants you to do but you continue to refuse to be obedient. God doesn’t want you to do other things but you see little harm in doing it anyway. Besides you think know one will know. Maybe so, but then there is that invisible line.