The Other-than-us of God

In the Thursday bible class the pastor was teaching us a very hard lesson about what our attitude should be about those that have sinned greatly against their fellow man. It is so easy to take joy in the down fall or punishment of a murderer because of what he has done. But is this what we are called to do? Does God have an other-than-us attitude toward those that sin. As always let us go to the Word for our answer and then with the help of the Spirit try to accept God's way of dealing with sinners.

First of all, God is not bashful about telling us that indeed He is different than us. In Isaiah we read (Isa 55:8 KJV) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (Isa 55:9 KJV) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. With these verses in mind, let us first took at how lost mankind feels about those who oppose them, then how God feels about this group of people, and finally what God tells us what we are to do.

First mankind: David was worried that if anything happened to him then his enemies would rejoice, so he prays (Psa 13-.3 KJV) Consider and hear me, 0 LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; (Psa 13:4 KJV) Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. David knew how sinful man acted and went to God for help. In Judges we are told how a whole nation acted when Samson was delivered unto the Philistines. (Judg 16:23 KJV) Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand. Samson's misfortune gave the Philistines a reason to rejoice.

Second God: In the Old Testament God tells Ezekiel : (Ezek 33-.11 KJV) Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, 0 house of Israel? Notice that in this one verse, God is not satisfied to ask Israel to turn from their evil ways only one time, but He ask them two times.

And finally what does God tell us to do and not to do: The Proverbs tell us (Prov 24:17 KJV) Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: (Prov 24:18 KJV) Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. It seems that our rejoicing in our enemies fall interferes with God's dealing with that enemy. Then, God the Son challenges us to a higher standard as we read in Matthew. (Mat 5:43 KJV) Ye have heard that it bath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. (Mat 5:44 KJV) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Mat 5:45 KJV) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Mat 5:46 KJV) For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (Mat 5:47 KJV) And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? (Mat 5:48 KJV) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Yes we are challenged to be different than our natural inclination and be more like Him who is always and totally other-than-us in His person and actions.