Pastor's Corner

Recently, I've heard people declare the fires in California, are some form of direct judgment from God. This view, however, may show a lack of biblical understanding.

Some have even pointed to Bible passages in the Old Testament as reference points for the judgment of God by fire.

In reality; these fires are likely being started by sinful humans and not Holy God.

The stark contrast between God's dealings with humanity in the Old and New Testament reveals a profound transformation in how divine justice operates. Under the Old Covenant, we witness God's direct intervention through natural disasters and immediate judgments – but this was never His ultimate plan. Rather, it was a temporary measure until the perfect solution could be unveiled.

Think of the Old Testament period as emergency first aid – necessary but temporary. Without a permanent cure for sin, swift judgment often served as a mercy, preventing the spread of corruption that could have destroyed humanity entirely. The sacrificial system could only postpone judgment, like a bandage on a wound that needed deeper healing.

Everything changed with Christ's sacrifice. The New Covenant ushered in what theologians call the "age of grace" – not because God suddenly became lenient toward sin, but because He provided its ultimate cure. As 2 Peter 3:9 reveals, God's heart has always been that "none should perish, but that all should come to repentance." The cross finally made this desire fully achievable.

This transformation fundamentally changes how we should interpret tragedy today. When natural disasters strike or calamities occur, we're not witnessing divine punishment, but rather the groaning of creation itself (Romans 8:22). Just as an abandoned building gradually decays, our fallen world operates under the weight of systemic brokenness. Things fall apart not because God actively destroys them, but because creation itself remains wounded by humanity's original rebellion.

Consider this crucial difference: In the Old Testament era, judgment could strike at any moment. Today, Scripture teaches that judgment is reserved for an appointed day (Matthew 12:36-37). This isn't because God has become less holy – rather, He's offering an extended period of grace, maximizing the opportunity for redemption before the final restoration.

This understanding has profound implications for our time:

First, it should humble us. None of us can claim moral superiority when facing others' tragedies. We all inhabit the same broken world, dealing with the same fundamental human condition.

Second, it should inspire hope. The current chaos isn't the end of the story. God has provided a solution through Christ that's more comprehensive than anything available under the Old Covenant.

Finally, it should motivate action. Understanding that we live in an age of grace – a limited window of opportunity before the final judgment – should spark urgency in sharing Christ's redemptive message.

When Christ returns, as Revelation describes, there will indeed be echoes of Old Testament judgment patterns. But today, we live in an unprecedented period of divine patience. Every disaster, rather than being a sign of God's wrath, stands as a reminder of humanity's universal need for the salvation freely offered through Christ.

This perspective transforms our response to tragedy from finger-pointing to compassion, from fear to faith, and from judgment to grace-filled action. In doing so, it better reflects the heart of God Himself, who chose to respond to humanity's rebellion with the cross – the ultimate expression of redemptive love.

R.S. Patterson

Undersheriff

& Chaplain