"The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” -Exodus 34:6-7
We are all prone to extremes. Our opinions and beliefs are vulnerable to the corruption of sin. The environment of sin as well as the remnant of our sin nature often carries us away from balanced truth. God is perfect in every way. His nature keeps in perfect balance the characteristics that we find it almost difficult to comprehend. Love is the most attractive aspect of God that we promote and is the lasting trait of a believer that is walking faithfully with God. However, God is also wrathful and just in executing judgment for the sake of preserving His holiness. Even with perfect patience, God is moved to righteous anger at the appropriate time to carry out righteous judgment. This is beyond human ability and understanding. We just can't grasp a loving God executing righteous judgment with righteous anger. But this is true. God has revealed this through His Word. Even the works of God that are seemingly harsh are initiated by love seeking to lead humanity to salvation, repentance, and growth. This passage clearly states that the Lord is full of grace and mercy but will not ignore the guilty. He is ready to forgive but also to discipline the rebellious.
In response to God nature, the faithful believer is convicted to show close communion with the Lord of his life by being an example of God's working. Walking with God leads us to constant repentance and growth in perfect balance. To not drift into the extremes is a daily struggle. If we are extreme in ruthlessness; we are drifting into sinfulness. If we are extreme in passive earthly love; we easily compromise on truth and tolerate sin in ourselves and others. This is contrary to godliness. We must uphold all standards of godliness through allowing the work of the One True God in our minds and hearts. Finding true balance that is perfect righteousness can only happen through the power of God and submission to Him. Let's engage in the struggle with surrender to God work. Looking to our great example and resting in Him with all thankfulness; we can surrender to grow. We must continue on progressing with all prayerfulness and carefulness.
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