God is A Loving Father

The Loving Justice of God (Philippians 1:1-11) I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Timothy 4:1 Paul writes to encourage, but also correct the church whom he calls the children of God. They are those who belong to Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:1). Paul desires that all believers will mature in their faith and become more like Christ (Philippians 1: 9-11; 1 Thessalonians 3:12). He doesnt want them just to have enoungh love to love one another, but he wants them to be full and overflowing with the love of God.(Philippians 1:9). God is love, that I do not doubt, He proved thast love by sending His Son to die for our sins.. We are commanded to love one another just as God loved us (1 John 4:7-12): “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect” (vv. 16-17). Our identity as believers is rooted in knowing that God made us and loves us.There fore we too are to love others as God loves us. Yes God is love, but He is also the judge of the earth and the heavens, we must not forget that. He is both a loving Father and a righteous judge, these two attributes work together in harmony rather than conflict like they seem to do here in a human understanding. Because many think that if you disagree with someone you don't love them but rather you hate them, and that just is not true. God's love is mercyful, yet His holiness requires justice for sin and evil, ensuring that love is not permissive. Permissive will is God's allowance of circumstances to occur, whether good or bad. If we make our own decisions, and He allows it that is His permissive will, the outcome will prove why it was not His perfect will in the first place. Balance of the two, means God’s judgment is a, holy, and necessary action to correct wrongdoing. God corrects us because He loves us. We as parents correct or discipline our children out of love not hate. (1 John 4:8) says"God is love," meaning love is central to His character, providing grace and forgiveness. Yet, justice is necessity: For a holy God must judge sin. This world without divine judgment would lack true justice. This righteous judgement is what Jesus Christ when He went to the cross.. He took the penalty of divine judgment on behalf of humanity, satisfying both God's justice and His love. God's judgment is not cruel, or abusive but righteous, and just. It is an impartial response to rebellion that against what is good. God’s judgment is seen as a necessary part of His love, protecting righteousness and ensuring justice in the world. We need to understand both love and justice, so we can get it right. Paul encourages us as christians to root ourselves in our love for God and each other “in knowledge and depth of insight” (v. 9). God will continue His work in and through us, as He fills us, “with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” (v. 11). You see our identity as one who is loved by God comes from knowing and accepting the love of Jesus, the loving sacrifice and justice that was served on the cross as He took our punishment for sin. God fulfilled His desire for us, that we could receive His love and that we would abound in that love as we live and grow in Him. As He fills us with the power of the Holy Spirit, we are then filled with His joy and peace, which allows us to grow in the knowledge of God and of the good works He plants in us.. We do good works because of who God is, not because we are good. We know that God has never given up on us, but that He will complete His work in us to shape us, through love and through justice (discipline) so that we can be root in our identity in Christ more deeply as we become old in our relationship with Him Heavenly Father, I want to thank you, that you love me enough to justly correct me, in justice and love.. Thank you that You made me and love me. I confess, I need you loving correction, please help me look to You for guidance on a daily bases and to seek your love, joy, and help in all of lifes surcomstances. Thank you, it is in Your name I pray AMEN