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Paradox of Faith

Over the weekend I was reading this about God’s goodness.

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.  Romans 11:22 (KJV)

It is  interesting to me that way Paul explains a balance of two attributes of God,  a combination of goodness and severity of punishment. I think sometimes we like to focus on one or the other. We see God as either a cruel God or one that only can do what we consider in our eyes as ‘good things’. However, God is both.  He has a side that can dole out punishment. And he has a side that is completely generous. It is for us to assemble a clear picture of God where both of these attributes are combined correctly.  We need to both heed the punishment, but also bask in His goodness.
I think Tozer sums up this notation of the goodness of God quite well in these quote.
“The greatness of God rouses fear within us, but His goodness encourages us not to be afraid of Him. To fear and not be afraid — that is the paradox of faith.”