The Goodness and Severity of God

The Goodness and Severity of God
Text: 1 Peter 3:15

Introduction:
In 1 Peter 3:15, Peter writes, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” As Christians, we are called to defend our faith and to give reasons for what we believe. One of the common statements we hear is that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament. Many claim that the God of the Old Testament was angry, harsh, and vengeful, while the God of the New Testament is loving, forgiving, and gracious. But has God changed? Did His nature or character alter between the Old and New Covenants? Let’s look at the Scriptures and see what the Bible says about the unchanging nature of God.

The Same God of Goodness and Severity
Paul wrote to the church in Rome and said, “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness” (Romans 11:22). Notice that this is written in the New Testament age. The same God who showed mercy and judgment in the Old Testament shows goodness and severity in the New Testament as well. His nature remains balanced, righteous, and perfect. He is good and merciful, but He is also holy and just.

The Goodness of God in the Old Testament
From the very beginning, God revealed His goodness. In Genesis 2:8–9, “The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden… and made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.” That is not the work of a cruel God but of a loving Creator who cared for mankind. Later, in Genesis 12:2–3, God told Abraham, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great… and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Through Abraham’s seed, the entire world would be blessed—a promise fulfilled in Christ (Galatians 3:16).

In Exodus 16:35, the Lord provided manna for His people for forty years in the wilderness. In Exodus 17:6, He brought water from a rock when they were thirsty. These are acts of mercy and compassion. In Esther 8:16–17, we see the Jews rejoicing in deliverance, having “light and gladness, joy and honor.” God was protecting His people. The Old Testament overflows with examples of a merciful and loving God who provides, protects, and blesses His people.

The Severity of God in the Old Testament
God’s severity is equally righteous. When the people in Noah’s day became wholly corrupt, He sent the flood. Genesis 6:5–8 says that “the wickedness of man was great… and every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Yet, God still gave them time to repent. Noah preached righteousness for more than a century while building the ark. Only eight souls were saved—not because God was unkind, but because mankind refused to repent.

We also see this in Genesis 19:24–25, when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Their sin was exceedingly wicked, yet God allowed Abraham to plead for the city. If only ten righteous people had been found, He would have spared them. God’s judgment came only after mercy was rejected. These are not acts of cruelty but acts of divine justice.

The Goodness of God in the New Testament
God’s mercy shines brightly in the New Testament. John 3:16 tells us that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” In Matthew 11:5, Jesus told John’s disciples that “the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Jesus’ ministry was filled with compassion and healing.

In Luke 19:41–44, Jesus wept over Jerusalem, grieving that they had rejected Him. His heart was filled with sorrow, not anger. Second Peter 3:9 declares that the Lord “is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” God’s desire for salvation has always been the same—from Adam to Abraham, from the prophets to the apostles—He longs for mankind to turn and live.

The Severity of God in the New Testament
But God’s justice did not end with the Old Covenant. In Matthew 21:12–13, Jesus entered the temple, drove out the money changers, and said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” His anger was righteous and holy.

In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira lied to God and were struck dead. This showed the early church that God’s holiness must not be mocked. In Matthew 24:51, Jesus warned that the unfaithful servant would be “cut in two” and assigned with the hypocrites, where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” In Matthew 25:30, the unprofitable servant is cast into “outer darkness.”

Second Thessalonians 1:7–9 says that when Christ returns, He will come “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel.” That is the God of the New Testament—the same God of holiness, mercy, and justice revealed from the beginning.

The Unchanging Nature of God
The Bible plainly declares that God does not change. Malachi 3:6 says, “For I am the Lord, I do not change.” Hebrews 13:8 tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” The God who created the world, who saved Noah, who delivered Israel, who sent His Son to die for us—is the same God who will judge the world in righteousness. His nature, His holiness, His justice, and His love remain constant and eternal.

The God Who Still Calls Men to Repentance
In John 5:24–29, Jesus said that the hour is coming when “all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation.” The same God who sent the flood and destroyed Sodom now calls all men everywhere to repent. As long as Christ has not returned, the door of mercy is open—but only for a short time. Once that door closes, judgment comes.

If you need to respond to God’s invitation—whether to confess sin, request prayers, or obey the gospel—do not wait. God’s mercy is available today.

The Unchanging Nature of God Sermon Outline:

• Theme Text: 1 Peter 3:15 — Be ready to give a defense for your faith.

• I. The Same God of Goodness and Severity — Romans 11:22

• II. The Goodness of God in the Old Testament

  • Genesis 2:8–9 — God provided everything good.

  • Genesis 12:2–3 — God promised blessing through Abraham.

  • Exodus 16:35; 17:6 — God provided food and water in the wilderness.

  • Esther 8:16–17 — God gave His people joy and deliverance.

• III. The Severity of God in the Old Testament

  • Genesis 6:5–8 — The flood and the wickedness of man.

  • Genesis 19:24–25 — Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction.

• IV. The Goodness of God in the New Testament

  • John 3:16 — God so loved the world.

  • Matthew 11:5 — Jesus’ compassion and miracles.

  • Luke 19:41–44 — Jesus wept over Jerusalem.

  • 2 Peter 3:9 — God’s desire for repentance.

• V. The Severity of God in the New Testament

  • Matthew 21:12–13 — Jesus cleansed the temple.

  • Acts 5:1–10 — Ananias and Sapphira punished for lying.

  • Matthew 24:51; 25:30 — Judgment of the wicked.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 — God’s righteous vengeance.

• VI. The Unchanging Nature of God

  • Malachi 3:6 — God does not change.

  • Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ is the same forever.

  • John 5:24–29 — Final resurrection and judgment.

Call to Action:
God has not changed. He is still holy, just, and merciful. His door of grace is still open, but it will not remain open forever. Examine your heart and life. Are you living in obedience to Him? Do not delay—today is the day of salvation.

Key Takeaways:

• God’s nature is unchanging. (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8)

• The same God shows both goodness and severity. (Romans 11:22)

• God’s mercy is seen in both Testaments. (Exodus 16:35; John 3:16)

• God’s justice is consistent through all ages. (Genesis 6:5–8; Acts 5:1–10)

• The call to repentance remains open today. (2 Peter 3:9)

Scripture Reference List:

• 1 Peter 3:15 — Be ready to give a defense.

• Romans 11:22 — God’s goodness and severity.

• Genesis 2:8–9 — God’s provision in creation.

• Genesis 12:2–3 — God’s covenant with Abraham.

• Exodus 16:35; 17:6 — God’s care for Israel.

• Esther 8:16–17 — Joy and deliverance of the Jews.

• Genesis 6:5–8 — The flood and God’s righteousness.

• Genesis 19:24–25 — Sodom and Gomorrah’s judgment.

• John 3:16 — God’s love for the world.

• Matthew 11:5 — Jesus’ compassion.

• Luke 19:41–44 — Jesus’ sorrow over Jerusalem.

• 2 Peter 3:9 — God’s patience and mercy.

• Matthew 21:12–13 — Jesus’ righteous anger.

• Acts 5:1–10 — The punishment of Ananias and Sapphira.

• Matthew 24:51; 25:30 — The judgment of the wicked.

• 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 — The vengeance of God.

• Malachi 3:6 — The Lord does not change.

• Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ is the same forever.

• John 5:24–29 — The final resurrection and judgment.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO