Christians are constantly in need of the Gospel. We need to be reminded over and over again, lest we stray from it. It is always refreshing to our soul as believers to hear once again what has become ours by faith in the Lord. Knowing that, take a moment and drink up this gospel goodness:

The author of Hebrews gives us a glimpse into the character of God, who is both great and terrible in his holiness towards sin, as it relates to the unbeliever. Hebrews 10:28-31 reads:

Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

NASB: “…it is a terrifying thing…”

NIV: “…it is a dreadful thing…”

NLT “…it is a terrible thing…” 

Here’s what we know:

• Under the law, all will perish without mercy.
• Those who have heard the gospel and tasted it’s fruits who reject God will meet certain wrath.
• God hates evildoers and punishes them (Psalm 5), which is a fearful thing.

Let’s flip the script.



In the book of 2 Samuel (24:11-14), we see the prophet Gad bring three options from God to David for his punishment due his sin. It reads:

And when David arose in the morning, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying, “Go and say to David, ‘Thus says the LORD, Three things I offer you. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.’” So Gad came to David and told him, and said to him, “Shall three years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days’ pestilence in your land? Now consider, and decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me.” Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.”

Here’s what we know:

• David had sinned and deserved a great punishment.  
• David agreed that he deserved punishment.
• David trusted in God for his salvation (Ps. 13:5), which he received although he was still punished.
• Falling into the hand of God is merciful for those who trust in Him.