The ways of Providence are surely beyond me at times.”
–D.C. Adkisson (The True and Unbiased Life of Elias Butler)
“But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!”
–Luke 12:5 (NKJV)
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In any true discussion regarding the attributes of God we must look at one that is disdained and even frowned upon in this day–the wrath of God. We must remember that all the attributes of God are equal and holy. We darst not emphasize one over the other for all of them compliment each other. In years past the wrath of God was emphasized, giving us a biased view of God. Today, it seems that the love of God is emphasized, making Him seem too good to be a God of wrath. If God is love how can He be a god of wrath?
Christians openly apologize for this “blemish” on God’s character. It is too horrible to contemplate and they say it is inconsistent with His goodness and His love. Perhaps you have heard the question, “How can a loving God send anyone to hell?” The fact is, He doesn’t. He has given wonderful opportunity through His grace, mercy, and yes, love for anyone to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God, Himself, is not ashamed to make it known that vengeance and fury belong to Him.
“Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; nor is there any who can deliver from My hand. For I raise My hand to heaven, and say, ‘As I live forever, if I whet My glittering sword, and My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, and repay those who hate Me.'”
–Deuteronomy 32:39-41 (NKJV)
He hates all sin; His anger burns against the sinner. Psalm 7:11, states, “God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” (NKJV) But note this: His wrath is perfect and holy. Listen, we must accept all of Scripture. Several years ago, a person working with college age people told me that God doesn’t kill anyone. I pointed him to the above verse, mentioned the angel of death in Exodus, and a couple of other instances where God’s wrath brought death. His reply, “I don’t agree with that.” Whether a person agrees with it or not the fact remains that one of God’s attributes is that of wrath.
Know that the wrath of God is His eternal detestation of all unrighteousness. It is the holiness of God stirred into activity against sin. It is justice being rendered. It is His sovereignty being exercised over rebellion. Our hearts need to be duly impressed that God hates sin. We must not regard sin lightly, gloss over its hideousness, or make excuses for it. God’s wrath should bring a true fear of God into our souls. It should make us search our hearts. “Let us have grace whereby, we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29).
One of the greatest studies in the Bible is the study of God in regard to the cross. God’s love is seen, God’s grace is provided, God’s justice is shown forth through the wrath of God upon sin. Oh, there is so much more to this study; I would implore you to take the time to investigate the truth of the cross. We need to give thanks to the Lord for having been delivered from the wrath to come. Arthur Pink states, “Our readiness or reluctancy to meditate upon the wrath of God becomes a sure test of our hearts’ true attitude toward Him.”