HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:22

With God, there is sternness — as well as mercy. I should be glad about it.

It tells me of the perfection of His character. God is Love — yet not a love . . .

• with which it is safe to trifle,
• which is oblivious of moral distinctions,
• which is so easy-going that it never flashes forth against wrong.

I have to do with a King who is ineffably just, stainlessly pure, immaculately holy.

It tells me of the righteousness of His government. Often I am perplexed as I look abroad. I travel back into history — and its pages speak many a time of the triumph of evil. I cast my gaze over the world, and I see the truth on the scaffold. But God reigns, and iniquity cannot always prosper. And am I prepared to welcome His sceptre of equity, and to love Him for the severities of His discipline?

It tells me of the urgency of His claims. I cannot afford to take liberties with One like this. I ought not to cling to myself and sin for one day more.

• If there is an ensnaring companionship,
• if there is an unworthy habit,
• if there is a neglected duty,
• if there is an unforsaken lust —

I should seek it out, I should crucify it! My God desires truth in the inward parts, and He desires it now.

It is well that His Word should depict His hatreds, no less than His loves.