8 But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us. 9 Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ’s blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin’s dominion) through His [resurrection] life. Romans 5:8-10 AMPC
At some time or another, all believers have asked the question is God mad at me? At some point in a Christian's life, they have wondered if God is mad at them when they sin. I would make the bold claim that many believers still see God as a vengeful angry deity willing and waiting to strike at the moment of failure.
Why do we as believers hold fast to this image of God in our thinking? We see the Old Covenant and the wrath and judgment poured out. We hear religious traditional ministers proclaim that God is angry and is poised to strike when we miss it. We hear preaching that God hates the lost, the sinners, and the rebellious and is going to get them by sending famine, floods, fire or pestilence, and plagues.
Under the Old, Christ had not yet died. Judgment seemed more swift because there was no price paid for the wicked sins of humanity. Yet in this time, we still see God's mercy and Grace. He provided temporary fixes be it through animal sacrifices, raising up intercessors, and making covenants with individuals. God was still Good then and He waited for the fullness of time to send us His Son, who takes away the sins of the world.
As for traditional preaching, they have forgotten that their own sins were forgiven. That Jesus' Blood paid the full price. They have made much of God's wrath and made very little of His Grace and Goodness.
and through him to reconcile all things to himself, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross. Colossians 1:20 MOUNCE
The Blood of Christ brought peace. Because of the Blood of Jesus, we have peace with God for all time and eternity. God isn't mad at you or me. Our Father isn't folding His arms in disappointment when we blow it, foul-up, or sin. Because of the Blood, the price has been paid once for all time. We have peace with God and He isn't mad at us but rather He is pleased with us because of all that Jesus has done.
We have peace through the Blood. We have peace from a guilt-ridden conscience. We have a Righteousness conscience because of the precious Blood of Christ. Guilt and shame have no place in our thinking or self-image. Thoughts of guilt and shame must bow to the higher truth that we have peace with God and He isn't accounting or imputing our sins to us any longer.
Only the Blood of Jesus brings peace with God. We can't promise to do better to find peace with God. We can't do enough to earn peace with God. In days gone by dueling forces, or nations signed peace treaties. Each side had forces, and manpower, and was equipped with the means for war. Each side had something with which to bargain.
What can we offer to God as a "bargaining chip?" What position did we hold that we could earn or achieve peace with God? We had broken the commands of God. We had fallen short of God's glory. We were guilty before God.
It was the Blood of Jesus that brought about peace. Jesus standing in the place of man, by means of His blood shed, took the wrath, the judgment, and penalty of all sins for all time. The innocent, the spotless, the perfect took the place of the guilty.
I'm so thankful for the Blood of Jesus. It brought about peace with God. It made us the friends of God and no longer the enemies of God. When God looks upon us now He sees us as who we were made in the New Creation. Righteous, holy, approved sons and friends.
In summation, understand God is not mad at you no matter what. Because of the Blood, you have peace with God. Peace from a guilty conscience, and even peace from the broken Law. All praise be to God for giving us His Son. You are now Righteous, accepted, approved, and received by God as His own. God is not mad at you, He's madly in love with you!
Image courtesy of Sira Anamwong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
