“Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” – Ezekiel 18:23
God is absolutely just. He will deal justly with those who rebel against Him and reject Him by sinning against Him (which is all of us). However, God takes no pleasure in sinners experiencing the wrath they’ve chosen and earned for themselves by their sinful rejection of His authority and good design. God will dispense justice, but He takes no pleasure in a sinner’s damnation. God would much rather each person repent of their sins and turn toward Him in faith. God longs to adopt each person as a beloved child, embracing them in love.
In His grace and mercy, God provided a means for all our sins to be dealt with justly. He sent His beloved eternal Son Jesus into the world to live the sinless life we can’t and to die on a cross as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, God made it possible for us to turn from our evil ways and live forever by believing in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
When anyone puts his or her faith in Jesus, they receive new life. They become new creation. Their sins are forgiven and God’s justice is satisfied. God’s pleasure can then abundantly overflow into their life and it certainly does! Such repentance and renewal, freely offered to even the worst and most undeserving of people, is what gives the Almighty God of the Universe great pleasure. Embrace God’s grace and pleasure – turn from your sins and embrace Jesus for yourself!