A souvereign God of loving kindness

I am amazed by how some believers and unbelievers alike have this concept of the Christian God being a harsh and judgemental Father who goes around in this world choosing some for salvation but assigning most to damnation. It is such a different picture of God the Father from the picture that was portrayed by Jesus in His words and deeds. He portrays God as wanting nobody to perish and as having no joy in the death of the wicked. He is the God who in His love and souvreignity pours out His very own Spirit upon all of humanity convicting them of sin, righteousness and judgement. In so doing He lovingly enables every human being to make the choice to either respond to His gospel invitation of righteousness with faith and obedience, or to choose not to do so and harden their hearts when they hear His voice and continue in disobedience.