It is often said that the God of the Old Testament appears to be a God of wrath, while the God of the New Testament seems to be a God of love. How do we reconcile these seemingly different portrayals? Since God’s character does not change, perhaps the real question is not whether God is different, but whether our understanding is incomplete. As we step back and consider both the Old and New Testaments together, we may begin to see a fuller picture of who God truly is.
sermon: The Patient Judge (2 Peter 3:1-10) with Rev. Alvin Lau
Follow-up Questions
- What reason does Scripture give for why God sometimes delays judgment instead of acting immediately against evil?
- When have you found yourself asking, “God, why aren’t You doing something about this?” What does God’s patience teach you in that situation?
- This week, what is one practical way you can join God’s work of bringing justice, compassion, hope or restoration to someone around you?
Is God Angry in the Old Testament and Loving in the New Testament?
Many people wonder why God can seem harsh in parts of the Old Testament but loving and forgiving in the New Testament. Is it the same God?
The Bible’s answer is yes. The difference is not that God’s character changed. It’s that we often notice one side of God’s character more than the other.
A Difficult Question
One of the hardest passages in the Bible is when God commands Israel to drive out the nations living in Canaan (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). At first glance, it can seem shocking. Why would a loving God allow this?
To understand the passage, we need to understand the context.
The people living in Canaan were not innocent victims of a random attack. Scripture describes cultures that practiced deeply evil acts, including child sacrifice.
“They even burn their sons and daughters as sacrifices to their gods.”
(Deuteronomy 12:31, NLT)
God had already warned Israel never to imitate these practices:
“Do not permit any of your children to be offered as a sacrifice.”
(Leviticus 18:21)
This was not about one nation being better than another. It was about God’s judgment against extreme evil.
A Patient Judge
What’s easy to miss is God’s patience. The Bible repeatedly shows that God does not rush to judgment. He gives people opportunities to turn back to Him.
The prophet Isaiah wrote:
“So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion.”
(Isaiah 30:18, NLT)
God’s desire is not destruction. His desire is redemption. Even when people reject Him for years, decades, or longer, God continues to call them back.
Why Doesn’t God Act Faster?
That’s a question people still ask today. We see injustice, violence, and suffering and wonder, “God, why don’t You do something?”
The apostle Peter addressed that question:
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”
(2 Peter 3:9, NLT)
What feels like delay to us may actually be God’s mercy. Every extra day is another opportunity for people to turn toward Him.
Justice and Love Go Together
Sometimes we imagine God’s justice and God’s love as opposites. They aren’t.
A good judge does not ignore evil. A loving God does not pretend that wrong actions don’t matter. God’s justice means evil will not have the final word. God’s love means He offers forgiveness and restoration before judgment comes.
Peter reminds us:
“A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.”
(2 Peter 3:8, NLT)
God sees the bigger picture that we cannot.
The Same God
The God of the Old Testament is not a different God from the God of the New Testament. He is always holy. He is always just. He is always loving. And He is always patient. The cross of Jesus shows all of these qualities at once. God takes evil seriously, yet He also makes a way for sinners to be forgiven.
When we struggle with difficult Bible passages, it helps to remember this: God’s ultimate goal is not judgment. His ultimate goal is redemption.
And until the day final justice comes, He patiently invites people to turn to Him and find hope.