Discovering God's Compassion for a Lost World...
Our Discovery group recently concluded it's deliberations on the the Old Testament book of Jonah.
It's an amazing story resulting in a whole city, the city of Nineveh, seeking God's forgiveness.
In a recent post, Disruptive Grace, I wrote, "The disruptive grace of God has not been and is not confined to biblical times. The Spirit of God continues to bring disruptive grace today. People's lives are dramatically changed, individual people, communities and nations around the world are radically and fundamentally changed."
And while Jonah is another biblical example of God's disruptive grace a read of Steve Addison's, Movements that Changed the World, will quickly give you a historical view of the movements of the grace of God up to the present day.
During these movements individuals, communities and nations are influenced by the Spirit of God and remarkable change results.
God said to Jonah, "And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
Jonah 4:11 NIV
While the magnitude of the change was remarkable God's personal, persistent and patient dealings with Jonah are remarkable. Jonah knew that God was gracious and compassionate, and would be, "slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity." Jonah 4:2 NIV
In the beginning God looked upon His creation and said, "It is good." However, through the disobedience of humankind sin entered the world and a change of seismic proportions occurred.
God, the Creator, gracious and compassionate, is not thwarted. He has a plan and is actively redeeming His world. He will bring it to completion in His appointed time.
The pinnacle of His redeeming work was the act of redemption was completed when Christ was crucified, and now to this day the saving grace of God is available to anyone who would believe.
Like Nineveh, like Jonah,
"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."
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
It's an amazing story resulting in a whole city, the city of Nineveh, seeking God's forgiveness.
In a recent post, Disruptive Grace, I wrote, "The disruptive grace of God has not been and is not confined to biblical times. The Spirit of God continues to bring disruptive grace today. People's lives are dramatically changed, individual people, communities and nations around the world are radically and fundamentally changed."
And while Jonah is another biblical example of God's disruptive grace a read of Steve Addison's, Movements that Changed the World, will quickly give you a historical view of the movements of the grace of God up to the present day.
During these movements individuals, communities and nations are influenced by the Spirit of God and remarkable change results.
God said to Jonah, "And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
Jonah 4:11 NIV
While the magnitude of the change was remarkable God's personal, persistent and patient dealings with Jonah are remarkable. Jonah knew that God was gracious and compassionate, and would be, "slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity." Jonah 4:2 NIV
In the beginning God looked upon His creation and said, "It is good." However, through the disobedience of humankind sin entered the world and a change of seismic proportions occurred.
God, the Creator, gracious and compassionate, is not thwarted. He has a plan and is actively redeeming His world. He will bring it to completion in His appointed time.
The pinnacle of His redeeming work was the act of redemption was completed when Christ was crucified, and now to this day the saving grace of God is available to anyone who would believe.
Like Nineveh, like Jonah,
"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."
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
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