The preamble question in a Bible study guide* I recently looked at asked,
"In each of the following pairs of words, which one more accurately describes your image of who God is? Somber or joyous? Searching or waiting? Welcoming or judging? Explain your answers."
My answer was something like this. I think these are two sides of the same coin. God is both somber and joyous, He is both searching and waiting, and He is also welcoming and judging.
I say 'somber', because of the death penalty for sin and that sin that separates mankind from God. It is a deeply serious matter filled with sadness when an individual does not repent and accept Jesus' gift of salvation. God is not willing nor is He,
"wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9 ESV).
On the other hand, God is joyous over even one sinner who repents (see Luke 15:7, 9, 10 ESV). One of the characteristics of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy (see Galations 5:22-23). God brings us joy because He is joy. Therefore, He is joyous.
God is also searching and waiting. He has infinite patience but He also seeks so that He may hurry up and save the lost. Some lost don't realize they are lost until they are found. The Good Shepherd of the Luke parable went searching for the lost sheep. The sheep was one out of a hundred others but was still of great value to him.
The loving father searched the horizen for his son whom he hoped and likely prayed, would return someday. It was a random day the repentant prodigal returned. What's more, how would that father have seen him if he had not been watching (searching) and waiting for him?
Our Heavenly Father seeks and saves the lost but He does not force the lost to be found. So He waits. I believe this is God's attitude towards sinners who repent - or even before they do. He searches and waits for their moment of acknowledging their sin and need of repentance and a Savior to save them. His arms are outstretched waiting yet welcoming and loving - NOT condemning.
This brings us to the third couple: welcoming or judging? We don't read that the shepherd searching for the 1/100 sheep, that when he found the sheep, berated the sheep until he was blue in the face. No. He lifted that sheep out of its desparate state and placed it on his shoulders and brought it home, rejoicing.
The forgiving father didn't berate his returning son either. He spotted him even though he was still a great way off and he ran to him! He ran not to slap him in the face but this father had feet of compassion. Those beautiful fleet feet ran to his son, enabling him to hug him and kiss him (Luke 15 20). To me, this is like the God I know.
The father did let the son confess,
"Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son" (Luke 15:21 ESV).
The father allowed the confession of sin and repentancce but then cut him off, ordering the servants to bring the best robe, ring, shoes and to kill the fatted calf. He was not going to let his son be a servant but to take his place as the son that he was.
Granted, God is a Judge too. This is also where the somberness comes in. God is just and sin needs to be paid for. God is also merciful and loving and joyfully accepts repentant sinners because Jesus has paid the price for our sin debt with His blood.
God is the Judge of that and in the end He will have the final say. And because He is not willing that any should persih, He patiently waits for all who choose to repent, to repent. He will not reject nor condemn us when there is genuine repentance.
This then incorporates my image of who God is.
~ ERC September 2025 ~
*Based on Luke 15 ESV. Also Life Builder Bible Study Guide, PARABLES by John White, Scripture Union.
Sing, The Love of God (is greater far), along with Selah videos.
Illustration credits (sheep picture): by Sheila Ong.
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