Too Nice?

Sometimes people are told they are too nice to others. Has that happened to you? Such people are advised they ought to be harder; more demanding; not so forgiving and gracious. Is that what Jonah was trying to tell God?

“(2) And he prayed to the Lord and said, ‘O LORD, IS NOT THIS WHAT I SAID when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I KNEW that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. (3) Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.’ (4) And the LORD said, ‘DO YOU DO WELL TO BE ANGRY?’” ( Jonah 4:2-4 ESV)

The NIV has, “Have you any right to be angry?” Imagine being mad because of God’s compassion and grace! And note the depth of Jonah’s pouting. He was so mad he wanted to die! (He would say it again in vss. 8 & 9) He knew the character of God. That is why he had not wanted to go to Nineveh. Jonah knew there was the possibility God would “go soft” on the Ninevites.

Are we shocked by such an attitude? Have we ever looked at another and thought, “They don’t deserve to have the gospel shared with them. They have been so bad they deserve the condemnation of God.”? Have we ever thought God ought to be harder on the wicked? But do we truly wish for Him to deal with us in the same way?

Remember Jesus’ teaching in the sermon on the Mount:
“(44) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For HE MAKES HIS SUN RISE ON THE EVIL AND ON THE GOOD, AND SENDS RAIN ON THE JUST AND ON THE UNJUST.” ( Matthew 5:44-45 ESV)

God’s desire is to gain the attention of the unrighteous in a way that would cause them to respond to His gifts and compassion and grace. God provided that opportunity for us. God continues to provide that opportunity for others as long as there is time in this realm. And as children of the Father, we ought to help in extending that opportunity through prayer, example of life, and the sharing of the Gospel of Christ. For us to decide some don’t deserve to have the messaged shared with them is to be guilty of the same attitude as Jonah.

Jesus was accused a being “a friend of tax collectors and ‘sinners’” to which Jesus responded that “wisdom is justified by her deeds.” ( Matthew 11:19 ESV). If God is going to be called “Mr. Nice Guy”, may it be for us: like Father, like child.

Have a great day WITH A PRAYER FOR THE REPENTANCE OF ALL!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Jonah