MORNING MANNA 6-15-23
THE WRATH OF GOD
“ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”- Rom.1:18
Here is a subject that is greatly misunderstood. Some are so foolish that they accuse God of being unfair regarding the fate us the unsaved. But in the following William McDonald give a clear explanation of the subject. He said:
“The wrath of God is His fierce anger and retributive punishment directed against unrepentant sinners in time and in eternity. A. W. Pink has pointed out that it is as much a divine perfection as is His faithfulness, power and mercy. We need make no apology for it.
In pondering the wrath of God, there are a few facts we should keep in mind.
There is no conflict between God’s love and His wrath. True love punishes sin, rebellion and disobedience.
If men refuse God’s love, what is left but His wrath? There are only two eternal abodes, heaven and hell. If men refuse heaven, they thereby choose hell.
God did not create hell for men, but for the devil and his angels. The Lord does not desire the death of the wicked. But there is no alternative for the Christ-rejecter.
Judgment is spoken of as God’s strange work. The suggestion is that He prefers to show mercy.
There is no vindictiveness or spite in God’s wrath. It is righteous wrath, without any stain of sin.
The wrath of God is an attribute we are not called to imitate. It is peculiarly His in the sense that He alone can exercise it with absolute justice. Thus Paul writes to the Romans, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’”.
The Christian is called on to display righteous anger, but it must be righteous. It must not overflow into sinful wrath. And it should be exercised only when God’s honor is at stake, never in self-defense or self-justification.
If we really believe in the wrath of God, it should move us out to share the Gospel with those who are still on the broad road that leads to destruction. And when we preach the wrath of God, it should be with tears of compassion.”
Remember this.” The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”-2 Pet.3:9 – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx.
