Are Lions Safe?

"Aslan is a Lion-the Lion, the Great Lion," "Ooh!" said Susan, "I thought He was a man. Is He quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a Lion." "That you will dearie, and no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver; "If there is anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they are either braver than most or else just silly." "Then He isn't safe?" said Lucy. "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course He isn't safe. But He's good. He's the King I tell you." (Chronicles of Narnia-The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis)

Is God safe?
The distorted views of God that are peddled in the culture attempt to keep God safe.

• First there is the non-existent God. For people who hold this view, the question is a moot point because there is no God. We are all a cosmic accident and should focus on surviving in this harsh world, regardless of the cost.
• Next there is the mother nature view of God. We are making mother nature angry with our environmental pollutants and if we don't appease her by offering billions of dollars to decrease our carbon footprint, she is going to bring down her wrath through the consequences of global warming. This view of God may appear to be unsafe, however in reality, this is a god we can control thus determining our own destiny.
• There is the god of many paths (or the Oprah view). This view simply would have us to believe as Oprah stated, "there can't possibly be just one way!" This is a safe god because everyone's way is right.
• There is the "higher power" god that made the universe but then left us alone to fend for ourselves and is not really interested in interfering in our lives.
• There is the "First Bank of Blessing" god that only wants a financial commitment sent to one of his many television prophets. In return, he will invest it and return to you health and wealth.
• There is the social god who exists only as an excuse to gather together in a church building and pursue the greater social good of those who are attendees.

. . . and so many others!

None of these are the view of God given in the Bible. The God of the Bible is the one True God and is holy, all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present. He is The Judge who pours out His wrath on sin and the wicked. He is the one who created everything out of nothing, destroyed the earth once by flood and will one day destroy the earth permanently and cast those who have not been born again into the lake of fire. Hmmm... does this sound like a safe God to you? Hardly! This should cause us to tremble and mourn over our great wickedness against Him. This is a God who sustains our lives and existence and does confront our wretchedness and who will require an accounting of our lives regardless of how we view Him.

He isn't safe but He is good. He is all-loving and sent His Son Jesus (the Lion and the Lamb) in meekness to redeem (buy back) our souls from the depravity of sin. All of God's strenghth and power (enough to obliterate our existence) displayed in the miracles and humility of Jesus offering Himself as a sacrifice in our place. Three days later, we once again gain a glimpse of His power as He was resurrected from the dead offering hope to all who will repent and believe. God then works in us to transform us into worshippers who serve Him in love, humility, and obedience. How is your view of God? Are you a partaker of His grace and mercy? If not, then may God correct your spiritual vision to give you a proper view of Himself.