We are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) for the purpose of glorifying God (Isaiah 43:7). We ought to be amazed that the pure holy God continues to want to have fellowship with us even though we have become sinful. God wanted fellowship with us so badly that He devised a plan whereby He could bring “many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10). Jesus came to execute God’s plan and the night before He was crucified, He prayed to our heavenly Father and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” John 17:1-3.
Jesus said we have eternal life through coming to know God. The Greek word for “know” means to gain through a personal relationship. God wants us to develop a personal relationship with Him. One way to begin that personal relationship with Him is to understand what we can about God. Of course, He is infinite and we are finite, therefore we can never fully “know” God. Part of knowing God means understanding His justice.
Too many people think God is always merciful to all people. God is also just. Think about Roy Lanier, Senior’s explanation. “God vindicates or justifies his holiness by punishing the guilty. When God commands and man refuses to obey, the penalty for disobedience is punishment. If God does not inflict the punishment, his holiness goes without vindication. These penalties are inflicted upon the disobedient and they reflect God’s revulsion from moral evil and wickedness. Punishment is God’s holy indignation at man’s unholy course of life” (The Timeless Trinity for the Ceaseless Centuries p. 127). It is sad that so many people are going to be surprised at the day of judgment! Wayne Burger