I believe such Christians have a sad, twisted concept of the heavenly Father. I recall Jesus’ parable about the servant who hid his talent because he had a twisted image of his master. That servant said, “I knew thee that thou art an hard man” (Matthew 25:24). Likewise, many believers today think, “There’s no way God could ever be glad over me, rejoicing and singing in love. I’ve failed him so miserably at times, bringing reproach on his name. How could he possibly love me, especially in the struggle I’m facing now?”
I believe this is one powerful reason why so many Christians don’t want to get close to their heavenly Father. They dread drawing near to him because they sense they’ve failed him somehow. All they can conceive of him is that he’s full of consuming fire, ready to judge and condemn them.
You may be thinking, “Surely the Lord doesn’t rejoice over someone who’s still in sin. I can’t expect him to love me if I continue my sinning ways. That sort of thinking borders on blasphemy.” Yes, God does love his people but he doesn’t love their sin. The Bible says he reproves every child who continues in iniquity, but he always does it with longsuffering. And after he reproves us, his Spirit fills us with a sense of his indignation over sin. Through all of this, God’s love for us remains unchanged. The Word says, “I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). “The Father…with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). “I am God, and not man” (Hosea 11:9).
Thank you... It’s true that I tend to fall into that trap of thinking that God isn’t/won’t-be/can’t-be pleased by my actions; of course, it’s a lot easier when you tend to have the same [typed] thoughts regarding your own earthly father.
I’m not sure I’m effective in the workplace though when someone has a biblical question or wants prayer they come straight to me. It’s hard work to try to reach them, make them understand, they have such guards up around them and an arsenal of politically correct assaults in place to defend themselves against being redeemed. I hope they see in me something they want. They know where I stand, no question and they’re not hostile to me about it, but they’re very defensive of their right to remain lost. At this point I’m watching, praying & holding fast that which I have until He comes. The word tells us that “because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold, but he who endures until the end shall be saved”. Let’s not let our love die.