We Must Know His Severity and Goodness

We Must Know His Severity and Goodness

Romans 11:22 (NKJ) - Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.


Fearing His severity too much can prevent us from doing what we are supposed to be doing:

This point is clearly illustrated through the evil servant in the parable of the talents. He so feared his master that he buried his talents instead of using them as the master has commanded (Matthew 25:14-30). As shown here, too much fear of His severity can prevent us from moving and the Lord considers it evil.

Properly fearing His severity will prevent us from making great mistakes.

King Saul did not fear the severity of God and His commandments when He decided not to wait on Samuel but to offer burnt offerings to the Lord himself. This mistake costs Saul his kingdom (1 Samuel 13:8-14). As shown here, a lack of fear of the severity of the Lord carried a great consequence.


Taking advantage of His goodness is dangerous:

Under the banner of grace, many people dangerously roll the dice and fail to observe the principles and commandments of God. Romans 11:22 (see above) clearly warns us to continue in His goodness or we will be cut off.

He honors those who love Him for His love and goodness.

Embracing the love and goodness of God and allowing it change us will bring us closer to Him. Psalm 91:14-16 (NKJ) Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him. And show him My salvation.”

The conclusion:

Fear prevents us from doing something but love causes us to do something. When you were a child, fear prevented you from doing things you shouldn’t such as hurting a sibling but love made you do things to please your parents such as making them a handmade Christmas card in school. Knowing His severity keeps us safe and respects His authority and dominion over us, knowing His goodness allows us to love Him with all our heart, mind, and soul while loving our neighbors as ourselves.