Talking about the Wrath of God is never a fun task, but it is necessary. Paul reminds us of the reality of it in Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” Yesterday, though time was short in the 9:00 a.m. service, we tackled this uncomfortable aspect of the Character of God. It is only by wading into the deep waters of wrath that we can enjoy the swim in His grace. Today, I’ll simply remind you of the truth we discovered in our time together on Sunday.
1. God’s wrath is never impulsive. He is only angered when anger is just and right and fair.
2. God’s wrath is revealed against all sin and against all sinners. Without two elements, our sin and God’s wrath, the gospel makes no sense. Paul goes to great lengths to make sure we understand the bad news before he ever gets around go glorying in the gospel. We must understand what it is that we need to be saved from, God’s wrath against us for sin.
3. We see examples of God’s wrath in the death that comes to all humans (Romans 5:15 & 16); in the events of this life that seem useless and futile, when suffering and misery abound (Romans 8:18-21) – but suffering is allowed in “hope” of a Savior; and in the sinking degradation of the human heart (Romans 1:19-28).
4. For the unbeliever, that hope is always present, even in experience of suffering – God’s mercy is always the undercurrent and those who see it, heart it, sense it can run to Jesus.
5. For the believer, “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1), and “God has not destined us for wrath” (I Thessalonians 5:9). The Christian’s experience of the wrath of God is forever altered by the cross of Jesus Christ.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
(In Christ Alone, by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend)
We must not avoid or retreat from talking about the wrath of God. For only in embracing that aspect of God’s character can we truly understand His love and tenderness toward us.
I’ll leave you with the quote I shared in the message Sunday from Dorothy Sayers:
"We have very efficiently pared the claws of the Lion of Judah, certifying Him ‘meek and mild,’ and recommended Him as a fitting household pet for pale curates and pious old ladies.”
