This the first of a series of posts I am doing about God. A QUESTION MY DAUGHTERS HAVE ASKED ME IS: “WHY IS GOD SO terrible, AND JESUS SO great AND KIND, YET YOU WANT us TO BELIEVE, THEY ARE BOTH the same?“ The posts I will be sharing after this, are my best attempt at explaining what I believe to my daughters. HOW CAN WE UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF GOD with OUR FINITE BRAINS?
✨ No “churchy fluffy stuff.” No political leaning, Not being a culture-war Christian. My real, raw thoughts; From where I actually am spiritually right now. I will do my best to make sure my thoughts are clear, biblical, honest, and spiritually grounded. How do I hold the belief of God’s mercy and righteous judgment together, without shrinking either?
I will start with this one Verse…—“Behold the kindness and severity of God.” — Romans 11:22 —
Scripture presents God in two complementary ways, BUT THEY ARE not contradictions.
“Kindness” = mercy, patience, compassion, covenant love.
“Severity” = justice, holiness, decisive judgment against sin.
-Paul warned believers not to be arrogant or presumptuous. God is both wonderfully merciful and terrifyingly holy. Understanding Him means holding both truths at once. God does reveal himself in scripture. This is true, even if people think they do not care to know or want to see the evidence… it is there and available to everyone.
“The LORD, the LORD, merciful and gracious… keeping mercy for thousands…but who will by no means clear the guilty.” — Exodus 34:6–7 —
God reveals both halves of His character in one breath. His mercy is longer, deeper, broader. His justice is firm and incorruptible.
God is not JUST “Old Testament wrath” vs. “New Testament love.”
His nature has always been both holy and gracious. God’s Severity is Never Random. For instance, read Genesis 6–9, about The Flood. So, Why did God judge the world back then? He stated: “Every intention of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil continually.”
So, God’s judgment came after long AND divine patience. Noah found grace, because he walked with God. God’s severity flows from His commitment to justice, not cruelty. His kindness flows from His desire to preserve life.
It is A Severe Mercy — Exodus 12–14 (Passover + Crossing the Red Sea)
1st – Severe judgment on Egypt. 2nd – Merciful deliverance for Israel. Same event → two different outcomes based on relationship to God. God’s severity is inseparable from His mercy — one protects His people while confronting oppression.
The Cross: Where Kindness and Severity Collide
Romans 3:21–26 —The cross is the clearest picture of both: God’s severity toward sin. God’s kindness toward sinners. Jesus takes judgment on Himself, so mercy can be extended to us. Every judgment God ever made points forward to the cross. Every mercy He ever showed – flows from the cross. The cross is where God’s character is fully revealed.
Revelation: The Final Balancing of All Things
If you read the book of Revelation, specifically chapters 19–21, you will see what I am referring to. What is described is God’s kindness to His people and severity against unrepentant evil. Jesus returns as both Bridegroom and Righteous Judge. Evil is fully and finally confronted. Creation is restored and redeemed. — And what can be interpreted as his ultimate kindness.
Revelation is not just about showing “God being scarier.” (I used to avoid reading the book for much of my life, because it all seemed too unbelievable – plus it was terrifying to imagine God as a judge overall). What I have found through intensive study is the book is the ‘completion’ of everything He’s promised: Justice for wrongs. Restoration for His people. and a Renewal for all of creation. The fulfillment of the promise I believe of “Peace forever“.
I need to walk myself through this process because it has been difficult to comprehend what is happening in the world lately. It matters to me that not only I understand Who I serve, but that I do not mislead anyone with my beliefs. This process of writing and documenting helps.
✔ My fear of God has changed to awe instead of anxiety.
✔ My trust in Him is deeper.
✔ My confusion about His severity makes more sense than before.
✔ My understanding of His mercy is much more clear.
I hope writing and sharing what I find helps someone else.
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