Many modern Bible teachers insist that a God of love cannot also be a God of wrath.(1)
They reject Scriptures that teach otherwise.
But God’s wrath is both loving and necessary. It’s holy anger: pure, unbiased, just, righteous, and fully deserved. God alone understands every detail of every life. He gives each of us ample opportunity to repent, and He knows the perfect time to bring punishment.
Our loving God hates evil (Psalm 45:7). He cannot look at those who commit it without righteous anger. Many people escape earthly consequences and punishments, but only those who repent and turn to Christ escape God’s wrath. God will not fill heaven with men and women who reject His love.
I don’t deserve God’s grace, but I’ve done the one thing necessary to receive it: I’ve acknowledged that I deserve God’s wrath and can only receive His grace through genuine repentance.(2)
We shouldn’t be shocked by God’s wrath against those who reject Him. We should be shocked by His undeserved forgiveness for us who repent.
Scroll down to see what Scripture teaches about God's wrath.(3)
Foot Notes:
(1) Often teachers who reject God’s wrath use “shame tactics” to convince others. They express biblical truths in twisted ways. For example: Instead of saying God righteously displays His wrath when He has given men and nations multiple opportunities to repent, they say a God of wrath is a “violent god” who loves genocide. For more about a popular teacher who makes these claims: Brian Zahnd: Rejecting the Inerrancy of Scripture. And see the terrible way the author of The Shack describes our God: Is God a Cosmic Abuser?
(2) Bible-believing Christians also show shame for God’s wrath when they say: “God doesn’t send anyone to hell. They send themselves.” It’s true that men choose to reject Christ, but they wouldn’t and couldn’t throw themselves into hell. Just as governments punish criminals and parents punish disobedient children, God punishes sinners. They don’t punish themselves. Why are we ashamed to admit this? For more on this: Scripture Debunks this Popular Quote about Hell.
(3) What Scripture teaches about God's wrath:
Wrath is “extreme anger.” The Greek word translated “wrath” is orgé. It’s defined as “anger, wrath, passion; punishment, vengeance.”
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Below are a sampling of Scriptures about God’s wrath. I’ve chosen to only include New Testament passages to prove it is not simply an Old Testament concept.
Romans 2:5: "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed."
Romans 5:9: "Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!"
Romans 12:19: "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord."
Ephesians 2:3: "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath."
Ephesians 5:6: "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient."
Colossians 3:5-6: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming."
I encourage you to read the context of these verses for a fuller understanding. Romans 2:5-11 is a good passage to read for a more complete look at God's wrath.
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Thank you for writing this. Christians (of all people) should understand the concept of the wrath of God. I am thankful today for the Father's great mercies to me, and this is a reminder to share God's love and solution for sin so, Lord willing, they won't have to endure the wrath of God. This is a message that takes wisdom and courage to share, Gail. Thank you for being faithful to scripture truth.
ReplyDeleteYes, Dawn, I don't really think we can understand the beauty of God's grace if we can't understand God's wrath. Thanks for your encouragement.
DeleteHi Gail - I am a mentor in an Bible study program called Crossroads Bible Ministries. I just want to tell you how interesting it is that the very subjects you write about are exactly the extra resources I need to equip my prison-bound students to learn the word of God. Thank you for your concise teachings. They are worth their weight in gold. God bless your efforts!
ReplyDeleteLauie, It blesses me to know that these devotions are helpful to your ministry! May God use you mightily!
DeleteGail, ever since I was a young girl I was afraid of Gods wrath. As I have matured I can see God as a loving Father whose sole purpose is to raise us up to be Godly children, just as we did our own. I think of the scripture, "those whom He loves He chastens." It will be good to know it is Love that gives us eternal life with Him.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this!! What a blessing! Another scripture comes to mind: John 3:36. It reads, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.". Key word is REMAINS..... The wrath of God is very real. Thank you for this beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteWell said. We can't understand God's love until we understand His HOLINESS! God is a "consuming fire". He purifies anyone that comes before Him. That is what He is. We must accept it. We are at His mercy. And when He rescues us from our sin as we accept His redemptive work through Jesus Christ, we can soar in the joy and knowledge that we are so wonderfully forgiven by His great MERCY!
ReplyDelete