“Ako ang magiging ama ninyo, at kayo’y magiging mga anak ko,” sabi ng Panginoong Makapangyarihan sa lahat.

2 Mga Taga-Corinto 6:18

Some people have this view of God: Isang masungit at istriktong pulis na walang ibang gustong gawin kundi parusahan tayo. Or He is like the Greek god Zeus, ready to send bolts of lightning the moment we mess up. They think that God is a hateful, vengeful God who will suck the joy out of life. He needs to be continually appeased by our strict adherence to the law. No wonder they don’t want to have anything to do with God, or at least, who they falsely think He is.

But does God really hate? Oo, He hates sin and wickedness. Ayaw Niya sa idolatry and those who do evil. In Proverbs 6:16–19, may listahan ng seven things that the Lord hates: pride, lying, murder, evil plots, those who love evil, false witnesses, and troublemakers. God, being a holy God, hates sin.

So is God a cold and impersonal supreme being? Quite the opposite. He is a gracious and generous God who loves extravagantly. After Adam and Eve sinned and realized they were naked, He clothed them. Imagine, this after they disobeyed Him and broke His heart. He made a covenant with His chosen people, Israel. Ilang beses din silang nagtaksil by worshiping false gods. Pero ilang beses din Siyang nagpatawad at iniligtas ang Israel mula sa mga kaaway nito. And His most profound act of love: Sending His Son Jesus to pay the penalty of our sins. He made a way for us, sinners, to have a relationship with Him. There is no greater act of love than this! 

Start thinking less of God as a cruel master and more of Him as a good and loving Father. He’s been waiting for you to come through the door so He can say, “Anak, welcome home.”