Wrath of God? Should we be afraid?
Notes
Transcript
Realisation
Realisation
I was browsing the Internet and I came across a quote that got me thinking, and the quote comes from a known American Presbyterian theologian by the name of Robert C. Sproul. He quotes:
“People aren’t afraid of the wrath of God anymore, because ‘preachers’ are out there telling people that God loves them unconditionally.”
That made me think, how many of us think about the wrath of God? Yes, I agree we are told about a loving God and that is indeed correct, 1 John 4:8 tells us that “…God is love” and in that same verse that they that don’t love or who does not love does not know God.
So how is it possible that the wrath of God can fit this picture of a loving God? Is God bipolar? Does he have his ups and downs? Is there a contradiction that there is a wrathful God and a loving God? Are we insane in following a wrathful and loving God?
Wrath and its meaning and how it was used.
Wrath and its meaning and how it was used.
The word wrath means, strong vengeful anger or indignation, it can also mean retributory punishment for an offense or a crime.
Wrath in Hebrew is עֶבְרָה (ebv-rah) and this Hebrew word was used when Jacob was giving his final words to Simeon and Levi for what they did to Shechem and Hamor and their city. It was their wrath that killed the men of that city and plundered it to take revenge what they did to their sister Dinah.
The actions of Simeon and Levi was in retribution to what had happened to their sister because she was raped and defiled by Shechem.
However, when we compare human wrath to God’s wrath, can there be a comparison? We now have an understanding to the meaning of wrath, but is there a difference and should we be concerned about God’s wrath?
Human wrath and God’s wrath
Human wrath and God’s wrath
When making a comparison to human wrath to God’s wrath, you have to note the intention of our wrath, when we get angry, the reason for our anger is because some had caused it. Now, most of the times our anger is irrational and unjustified and sadly by allowing our emotion go unchecked then it will damage others as well as ourselves.
Our emotion of wrath is a lack of temperance on our part because this wrath leads us to the real desire which is to control others through hostility and hate. Thank about it, road rage, fights in the streets, child abuse, domestic violence and the list goes on. Add alcohol to the mixture then you can definitely throw temperance out the window and see what uncontrolled wrath can accomplish.
James explains it so perfectly in James 1:19-20:
19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
In comparison to God’s wrath, the key difference is that for us humans our wrath is directed to someone and what they have done. God’s wrath on the other hand is directed at sin and those that practise sin. The Psalmist says
5 The Lord tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
Sin is contrary to the character of God and those that practise sin goes against His character and what He created, God’s love; which is His character, is life and the opposite to that is death which is the very thing that God hates. The Lord pleads with the sinner; His creation to follow and practise righteousness (i.e. His way which is life). He says:
11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’
You see for human wrath, our anger is towards a person(s) and we want to ensure that they suffers for what they’ve done, there is no room for mercy or forgiveness, no room for redemption but to ensure that the person faces punishment and usually severe punishment to satisfy our lust,
God on the other hand as you can see would rather that the person(s) would turn away from their sin that leads to death and do that which is right and choose life.
God has done all He can to ensure that the person doesn’t have to face His wrath and His love isn’t about forcing people to make that choice. So, what choices are you making to avoid His wrath?
Should we be afraid of God’s wrath?
Should we be afraid of God’s wrath?
So, should we be afraid of God’s wrath? What are your thoughts?
Well it depends on where you are with Him, do you think you deserve God’s wrath?
6 Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him.
Nahum chapter 1 is a message to the Ninevites, as they oppressed and war against Israel and Judah, God declares His wrath upon the Assyrians that continually trample His people and provoke the God of Israel.
But even in God’s wrath did He totally destroy the Assyrians? No, they still exist even to this day however they no longer have a country or state, they exist in various parts of the world and the majority of the Assyrians are Orthodox Christian and in Sydney, the majority of Assyrians live in and around Fairfield Council.
God’s wrath was towards those that oppressed and caused injustice on His people, sadly, all of Assyria was affected because of the decisions made by their king but God’s wrath wasn’t to destroy the people but to humble them because God isn’t the God of Israel but He is also the God of the Assyrians and they are still His creation.
Who receives of God’s wrath?
Who receives of God’s wrath?
So, do we deserve God’s wrath? Doesn’t Paul say to us that “all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory” (Romans 3:23)? Don’t we fall into that category and deserve God’s wrath and anger?
Can we stand before His indignation? Can we endure the fierceness of His anger and His fury?
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
Who is the Paul referring to here in this bit of passage? Those that suppress the truth in unrighteousness or their wickedness. Call them Christians, call them believers of God or even agnostics. God has been revealed to all people and they are without excuse in doing what is right.
The Assyrians should have known better and the many kingdoms around Israel also should have known better throughout history in the formation of the Israel and Judah kingdom. How God had done so many miracles for them and how God had protected them throughout the centuries.
Soon enough, God’s wrath will be revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness, so I ask you, who do you think will receive God’s wrath especially when the Lord returns?
But the most question we should ask is why are we a Christian and what is my relationship with Jesus?
Jesus willingly receives God’s wrath for our sake
Jesus willingly receives God’s wrath for our sake
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
God hates sin, it is contrary to Him as it represents death and separation. In God we find life and love, and God’s love towards you and me is so strong that He was willing to sacrifice His own Son so we can be saved.
Jesus, willingly took our sin and punishment to save us, you have to understand God’s wrath towards those that are justified by His blood doesn’t fall on them. God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus because He took our shame and received God’s wrath.
Realising that Jesus took our punishment, how does that make you feel towards Him? Will you be a better Christian from today? How would you live your life knowing that only in Jesus can you be saved? Only in Jesus is salvation?
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
So, in response to a question I raised earlier, can we stand before His indignation? Can we endure the fierceness of His anger and His fury?
In Jesus we can, for by grace through faith we can stand in Jesus and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Only Jesus can bear our sin and no one else, Jesus was the one who became our curse that we can be free from the shackles of sin. But, does that mean we should forget about God’s wrath? No, because we need to realise what it cost Him and what it cost us.
Man has not been made a sin-bearer, and he will never know the horror of the curse of sin which the Saviour bore. No sorrow can bear any comparison with the sorrow of Him upon whom the wrath of God fell with overwhelming force. Human nature can endure but a limited amount of test and trial. The finite can only endure the finite measure, and human nature succumbs; but the nature of Christ had a greater capacity for suffering; for the human existed in the divine nature, and created a capacity for suffering to endure that which resulted from the sins of a lost world. The agony which Christ endured, broadens, deepens, and gives a more extended conception of the character of sin, and the character of the retribution which God will bring upon those who continue in sin. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. - That I May Know Him - Page 64
Going back to Robert Sproul’s quote:
“People aren’t afraid of the wrath of God anymore, because ‘preachers’ are out there telling people that God loves them unconditionally.”
It is true, people are not concerned about the wrath of God, because all we’re told is about the love of God, and that it is unconditional. God indeed does love the world that He gave His only begotten Son. But, the condition in that verse is “that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting love”.
God indeed loves all the sinners but He hates the sin and what many can’t comprehend is that those that are saved are those that believe in Jesus and are in Jesus. Those are are in Jesus realise what He has gone through and understand how Jesus has taken God’s wrath that we can have salvation in Him.
Should we be afraid of the wrath of God? If you are in Jesus and have a relationship with Him then there is nothing for you to worry about, the gift of life for those that believe will be received when He returns, but what guarantee do you have?
I am not here to be a fear monger, but I am concerned and care about your salvation, should your faith in Jesus be based on God’s wrath so you can be saved? Or should your faith in Jesus be purely on His character of love so you can be saved?
My friends, I pray and hope that your faith in Jesus is not based on fear “for God has not given us a spirit of fear...” (1 Timothy 1:7) so I plead with you, put your faith on Jesus’ character of love and know and believe in Him and you will find peace and salvation even when the wrath of God falls on the wicked.
Jesus will save you.
