There are some in religious circles who do all they can to ignore the wrath of God in their teaching.  While we should emphasize the positive characteristics of God such as love, mercy, and grace, we do Him a disservice by ignoring a part of what makes Him who He is.  The wrath of God does not come about because of any shortcoming in His character, but from His unmatched morality and justice.  God’s wrath stems from His abhorrence of evil, not some kind of divine temper tantrum.  God does not have an anger management problem.

We are wise to understand that the wrath of God is real.

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.

We can live ungodly lives if we choose to, but we cannot escape the consequences of such a choice.  At His appointed time, God’s wrath will be revealed against those who disobey Him, whether they are in or out of Christ.

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.

Furthermore, this wrath will be poured out with full force.  Speaking of those who would receive the mark of the beast, that is, those who would give in to the pressure of the Roman Empire and worship the Emperor, John said, ⁹  “…he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb” (Revelation 14:9-10).

The reality of God’s wrath is what led the Hebrews writer to warn, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  Indeed, it will be.

Knowing these things, we should be very thankful that, as Christians, we do not have to worry about the wrath of God.  As long as we are found to be faithful in His eyes, we shall be spared.

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.

Aren’t you glad, if you are a Christian, that you have been saved from the wrath of God?  Thank God we have been justified.  To be justified means to be declared not guilty by God.  It does not mean that we are innocent because we are not.  Still, the verdict has come in and, so far as our past sins are concerned, we have been found not guilty.  We are free (Romans 6:7).

What made it possible?  Paul told us, didn’t he?  We have been justified by the blood of Christ.  It is a wonderful thing to not have to live in fear (1 John 4:18).  We can go into judgment with full confidence, knowing that we have been justified in heaven’s court and spared the wrath of God.

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