"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." – 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
People often ask, "What kind of a God does what was done in the Old Testament? He opens up the earth and consumes people whole. He sends down fire from heaven and incinerates them. He floods the entire Egyptian army in the Red Sea. God told the Jews to slaughter all the Canaanites. What kind of a God sends bears out of the forest to shred young men who are exhibiting hostility and disdain toward the prophet? What kind of God does this? What kind of God allows all these things to happen? What kind of God creates these kinds of deadly judgments?"
That's not the question at hand. The answer lies in the concept of a just God. A just God acts in accordance with justice. The soul that sins shall die, and the wages of sin is death. God tells Adam and Eve, "In the day you eat of it, you will surely die."
The real question in the Old Testament is not why God executed certain people at specific times. What kind of God drowns the entire world, allowing only eight people to survive? A just God. However, it was a long period of God pleading with humanity before that judgment occurred. When God takes a life, it is an act of justice—something that is deserved. The more pressing question in the Old Testament is why God allowed so many sinners to live for so long. For instance, Adam lived for over 900 years. Why didn't God destroy everyone? If God is both holy and just, why doesn't He eliminate sinners when they deserve it?
If that were the case, then nobody would be born. As David said, "In sin did my mother conceive me." This doesn't imply that he was illegitimate; instead, he meant that from the moment of conception, he had sinful tendencies. The fact that anyone can live, wake up, have breakfast, smell the morning dew, admire the sunrise, enjoy the day, fall in love, or have a baby—throughout human history—illustrates this. The rain falls on the just and the unjust, and the sun shines on everyone. All experience the richness of this world. What does this signify? It is simply a temporary reflection of God's patient and enduring kindness toward sinners, which leads Him to withhold His judgment.
Many people died under God's judgment. However, not everyone perished, and that raises an important question. Instead of asking why God punishes sinners, we should ask why He allows sinners to live. The answer is that He is patient and enduring, desiring them to recognize His kindness and ultimately repent. This enduring patience of God should reassure us of His desire for our repentance and His hope for our redemption.
"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" – Romans 2:4
He doesn't give the sinner what they deserve when the sinner deserves it. Sinners live all around us at all relative levels of sin. There are religious sinners, religious hypocrites, and phonies in the church on one end, and there are terrorists at the other relative end of sin. They live, survive, flourish, and even get rich. Why?
Why doesn't God eliminate sin if He is a just God? The answer is He is by nature a reconciler. He demonstrates this by allowing sinners to live. God is the Savior of all people, both temporarily and physically, sparing them what they deserve. However, He is specifically the Savior of those who believe, offering spiritual and eternal salvation. This aspect of His saving nature is far more significant. God reveals His character as a Savior by granting life to sinners. His kindness and forbearance are intended to lead them to repentance. Ultimately, it is God's will to be a Savior.
Reconciliation is the divine means by which God's holy displeasure is appeased. It removes hostility and restores sinners to Him. This divine act of reconciliation should make us feel God's love and forgiveness, inspire us to recognize our true nature as fallen beings, and turn to our reconciler for everything He has done for us.