We live in a religious world that has gone soft. Many preachers and teachers of the gospel are telling people that there is no hell, that is, no eternal punishment. Why are they teaching this? It is because the idea of God punishing people is not palatable to many today. As a result, they simply emphasize the positive, avoiding anything that might be offensive or distasteful to the multitudes.
This approach was never taken by the inspired writers of the New Testament. Instead, they declared the whole counsel of God. A part of that counsel is that God is at times a God of wrath. Yes, God is full of goodness and grace. He is a God of second chances, being merciful and longsuffering. However, we must understand the whole nature of God. He is not only a God of love and mercy, but He is also a God of wrath. The book of Romans makes this abundantly clear.
Romans 1:18 (ESV)
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
Romans 2:5 (ESV)
5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
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.
Romans 12:19 (ESV)
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Who shall experience this wrath of God? Paul says that it shall be revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Romans 1:18). Ungodliness has to do with one’s attitude towards God. It is to fail to give Him the reverence and respect that he deserves. This is why, at least in part, this world is in such a moral mess. Far too many people simply do not give God the respect He deserves.
What should we do in this ungodly world of ours? We should be like Enoch and warn people about the error of their ways (Jude 14-15).
Unrighteousness has to do with anything that is opposed to that which is right and just in the eyes of God. The Bible teaches us that all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17), and sin is what brings upon man the wrath of God.
Knowing that God has a wrathful side should help us to live better. The Hebrews writer reminds us that, “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). We should be thankful that we have been saved from God’s wrath by the blood of Christ (Romans 5:9). But let us remember that if we allow sin to overtake us, we will be right back in the crosshairs of God’s wrath once again.
As you wind down for the night, think about these things