Many wonder how God's mercy can be compatible with His strong penalties for sin. In the Old Testament and the New, God is never changing in His character—always merciful and longsuffering. Pastor Lutzer explores the hope of God's mercy from Leviticus to Lamentations. Where is God’s mercy in the middle of judgment, despair, or grief?
None of us will enter heaven unless we’re as perfect as God. The moment we realize we have nothing to offer God is the moment we receive God’s mercy and grace. Pastor Lutzer observes the basis for God’s mercy and the posture of any sinner who receives mercy. What’s the difference between mercy and grace?
In such a broken world, many question why God chose the means He did to achieve His purposes. We may even praise God for who He is, but we wonder if all the evil in the world was truly necessary. Pastor Lutzer considers whether evil could eventually contribute to God’s glory. What if we could see from the standpoint of eternity?
We often depend on our own wisdom, or even the world’s, in making everyday decisions. God’s purposes flow from His wisdom, so we should seek His wisdom. Pastor Lutzer reflects on God’s multi-faceted wisdom to create His church and how we can depend on God’s wisdom in our everyday decisions. Do we consult God’s wisdom?
Though some wear a cross as a pendant around their necks, others see it as a foolish, primitive symbol. How can God's plan for the cross defy the world's wisdom? Pastor Lutzer encourages us by the multifaceted wisdom of God seen in the death of Jesus on the cross. We can learn to love the cross.
We need true wisdom, even in the best of circumstances, to avoid foolish decisions. But can the wisdom of God the Creator turn evil or senseless acts for His good purposes? Pastor Lutzer distinguishes God's infinite wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. We can entrust ourselves into the arms of God.
There is no one like God, completely and morally perfect. God will do whatever it takes to ensure his children are progressing towards holiness. Pastor Lutzer examines 1 Peter 1:15-16, uncovering how we can imitate our heavenly Father. How does God intend to lead us to holiness?
In a culture consumed with finding our authentic self, what if we can't face the true depths of our sin? Face-to-face with God, we are undone. Pastor Lutzer shows two reasons God's holiness shows us our sin. In God’s presence, the real us is unmasked.
Is it a contradiction for a completely holy God to want to be with us? Pastor Lutzer contemplates two immense but practical attributes of God. No matter where God is, all of His attributes are.
Pastor Lutzer points out two groups in whom God’s holiness is displayed: the wicked and the righteous. God has made a way to approach Him in His moral perfection.
“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?" - Exodus 15:11