When we think of the characteristics of God, we usually think of things that are beneficial to us.  This is not surprising since most of those characteristics work in our favor.  Because of this, however, the wrath of God is largely ignored when discussing the nature of God, at least by man.  The Bible certainly does not ignore the subject, but rather, it constantly warns us about it.

Colossians 3:5-6 (ESV)
⁵ Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ On account of these the wrath of God is coming.  

Those who emphasize the love of God to the exclusion of His wrath make a great mistake.  The wrath of God is coming.  The good news is two-fold.  First, we know who is going to experience God’s wrath.  Paul tells us that it is coming upon the sons of disobedience.

Ephesians 5:6 (ESV)
⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Who are the sons of disobedience?  They are those who walk according to the course of this world (Ephesians 2:2).  The world is the realm of ungodliness over which the devil is god (2 Corinthians 4:4).  We are admonished by John not to love the world or the things in it (1 John 2:15).  Those who do, will, sooner or later, experience the wrath of God.

Sometimes the wrath of God is carried out by His earthly agents.  In reference to the civil government, Paul said, “…For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Romans 13:4).  At other times, His wrath can be seen by His chastisement of His children for disciplinary purposes (Hebrews 12:5-11).  Of course, the ultimately expression of God’s wrath will be the eternal damnation experienced by those who die outside of His favor (Revelation 14:9-11).  No matter how God’s wrath is expressed, we know who will experience it, and, therefore, can avoid it.  Anyone who rebels against the will of God, choosing the world over Him, will know the wrath of God firsthand.  This might be one who has never obeyed the gospel, or it might be a child of God who becomes disobedient, but either way, it is a person whose heart has been hardened toward God (Romans 2:5). 

The second piece of good news concerning the wrath of God is only good news for those who are faithful child of God.  Since we have been justified by faith, and our sins have been washed away by the blood of Christ, we shall escape God’s wrath.

Romans 5:9 (ESV)
⁹ Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Do not forget, however, if we stop living by faith and obeying God’s will, we will be right back in the crosshairs of God’s wrath.  Let us obey God’s will and demonstrate an obedience faith, and the wrath of God will not be something about which we must worry.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.