919) If you ask someone what they see in their minds when they think of God, what do you think they will answer? Maybe an old grandfatherly type of person? Maybe the image of Jesus holding a child? Maybe a thundercloud over a mountain? I sometimes think of images like this, but there is an image of God that, for me, is an uncomfortable part of him and that is that God is a judge.

It’s easy for me to focus on the parts of God that include love, kindness and grace, but when I think of God being the judge, it makes me hesitate and want to blot out that image. What I don’t like to think about is that God is, indeed, the judge and just like in Noah’s day, there will come a time when the door to salvation will be shut and God says “No” to anyone who changes their minds and wants to accept the gift of God’s salvation.

Yes, God is loving, forgiving and compassionate, but he also is righteous and will accept no one into his presence who has not been washed by the blood of the lamb.

No, means no! Luke 13:22-30