By Cynthia A.A Mahoney
God’s love is revealed in a perfect balance between justice and mercy because of sin, man’s sense of justice and mercy has been utterly distorted. Man’s limited view in the affairs of God makes it hard to understand and trust Him, however, God’s apparent silence in the affairs of men is consequence of sin. Sin is offensive to God and this is what has separated man from God.
Many passages in the Holy Bible indicate that God breaks His silence from time to time using plagues, famines, sickness and disease, poverty and other natural disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes, and climate change. This He does, to draw one’s attention to limit the growth of sin. Man’s innate ability to rebel against God has made the world unbearably evil. At times, God allows things to happen until the cup of iniquity fills up. He breaks His silence, steps in and mete out appropriate punishment.
Some passages in the bible points to God’s wrath after several warnings. The Bible reveals that God follows a consistent principle when dealing with humanity. This is termed the ‘full cup principle’. Very often, the bible uses the metaphor of a cup, to indicate the fullness of an experience. To illustrate this fact, the following examples refer. A) Jesus’s words before His crucifixion…”My Father, if it is possible, may this cup (bitter) be taken away from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” b) Thou preparest a table before me, in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil, my cup(joy) overflows, c) The story of Noah’s flood, the cup of iniquity had reached full measure. d) The deadly 2004/5 tsunami that hit the Southeast Asian province of Indonesia most probably represented God’s judgment of a full cup of iniquity. When sins reach a certain level, drastic judgment follows. Jesus gave many warnings in his teachings and discourses to his disciples and followers to watch out for these types of happenings. Because of man’s persistent lawlessness and rebellious attitude towards God, the bible tells us that these things will continue to happen.
The full cup principle of iniquity is based on the idea that God measures the actions of mankind. When all of God’s grace has been displaced by willful sin, the cup is full of bitterness as a result we drink of the consequences of our actions, similar to the law of sowing and reaping, a law of reciprocal action.
Each City, Nation, Kingdom or Empire, has a cup and when it is full, God breaks His silence. God’s mercy with sin and sinners has a limit. In the book of Ezekiel, chapt. 24 verse 14 it states “I the Lord have spoken; the time will come for me to act. I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent. You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions.” In the case of the Amorites, the judgment of God on these nations was due to the perverted and immoral life of homosexuality, human sacrifice, adultery, witchcraft practiced. Isn’t all these prevalent in our society today?
A serious call to repentance and change of attitude towards God’s laws and commandments is a prerequisite at this point in time. Attitudinal change, loving obedience to our Creator, love for one another will make the world a better place to live in as was God’s original plan.
