As I was viciously arguing with myself–something I normally do whilst washing dishes–the discussion got pretty heated, and then something was said that silenced both parties of the debate. I couldn't help myself, and I eagerly wanted to share this...concept?...with you all, lol, and see what you all think.
The argument was centered around the, "If God hates wickedness, why doesn't He just destroy all the bad people?" question often proposed by a non-believer or atheist questioning a Christian.
Now in my head, I was going back and forth defending and counterattacking different arguments, and then. Wham! There came a simple phrase that hit me...hard.
And that's what changed my outlook of the question and the answer. The issue isn't about bad people; it's about mankind's sin issue. The question is phrased in a way to emphasize that some people are more wicked than others and thus are more deserving of punishment than others. While yes, some sins do carry heavier consequences and produce more destruction than other sins, at the end of the day, all sin is wickedness, and any and all sin is permissible for God's judgement. Romans 3:23-24 states,
Because God is merciful, he gives people time to turn from their ways and serve righteousness.
While God shows this mercy, He still rewards those who refuse to repent with what is suitable for their wickedness.
So in the end, God doesn't destroy all the "bad people" right away, not because he enjoys their works, but because He wants all man to be saved and come to the knowledge of Him. And if we look at someone else's sin and see them as a bad person, then we should be willing to also call ourselves "bad" because when we are saved, our righteousness doesn't come from ourself but from the one who died for us. And if it weren't for Jesus, then we would have been just as deserving to be destroyed because of our wicked sins, no matter how light and innocent they may seem.
God doesn't call the godless "wicked" because they sin. He calls them wicked because they show no respect for Him and for what is good and pure. Because even the "good" people sin. The only difference between the wicked and the good is that the good recieve Jesus as Lord and Savior and as a byproduct, worship the one true God through striving to live their life in accordance to His standards in continuous repentance.
The argument was centered around the, "If God hates wickedness, why doesn't He just destroy all the bad people?" question often proposed by a non-believer or atheist questioning a Christian.
Now in my head, I was going back and forth defending and counterattacking different arguments, and then. Wham! There came a simple phrase that hit me...hard.
"If today, God was to destroy all the 'bad people', then He'd have to destroy you too."
And that's what changed my outlook of the question and the answer. The issue isn't about bad people; it's about mankind's sin issue. The question is phrased in a way to emphasize that some people are more wicked than others and thus are more deserving of punishment than others. While yes, some sins do carry heavier consequences and produce more destruction than other sins, at the end of the day, all sin is wickedness, and any and all sin is permissible for God's judgement. Romans 3:23-24 states,
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished"
Because God is merciful, he gives people time to turn from their ways and serve righteousness.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare."
-2 Peter 3:9-10
-2 Peter 3:9-10
While God shows this mercy, He still rewards those who refuse to repent with what is suitable for their wickedness.
So in the end, God doesn't destroy all the "bad people" right away, not because he enjoys their works, but because He wants all man to be saved and come to the knowledge of Him. And if we look at someone else's sin and see them as a bad person, then we should be willing to also call ourselves "bad" because when we are saved, our righteousness doesn't come from ourself but from the one who died for us. And if it weren't for Jesus, then we would have been just as deserving to be destroyed because of our wicked sins, no matter how light and innocent they may seem.
God doesn't call the godless "wicked" because they sin. He calls them wicked because they show no respect for Him and for what is good and pure. Because even the "good" people sin. The only difference between the wicked and the good is that the good recieve Jesus as Lord and Savior and as a byproduct, worship the one true God through striving to live their life in accordance to His standards in continuous repentance.
