Guess What..? God's Wrath Is Alive and Doing Well!

It is clear that when we think of the word "wrath" as applicable to God, it must be divested of everything that is like human passion, and especially the passion of revenge. It is one of the most obvious rules of interpretation that we are not to apply to God passions and feelings which, among us, have their origin in evil. [God's wrath] is the opposition of the divine character against sin; and the determination of the divine mind to express that opposition in a proper way, by excluding the offender from the favors which He bestows on the righteous.

We admire the character of a father who is opposed to disorder, vice, and disobedience in his family, and who expresses his opposition in a proper way. We admire the character of a ruler who is opposed to all crime in the community, and who expresses those feelings in the law. Why shall we not be equally pleased with God, who is opposed to all crime in all parts of the universe, and who determines to express His opposition in the proper way for the sake of preserving order and promoting peace? -Albert Barnes

The Scriptures speak of the coming day of God's wrath. They speak of revealing the righteous judgment of God (Romans 2:4-6), and a day of judgment of the ungodly (2 Peter 3:7) in which the fullness of God's righteous indignation is made known. The Scriptures also speak of how God's wrath has already come. They speak of how it has been revealed from heaven (Romans 1:18a) against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Romans 1:18b), in which a foretaste of God's righteous indignation is manifested. But why does God manifest this "foretaste" of His wrath? How does He express His righteous indignation even now, long before the day of judgment? Perhaps taking a look at (Romans 1:18-32) might provide the answers we are looking for.

Why does God manifest his wrath, or make it plainly visible to man? One reason is because man stifles God's revealed truth by suppressing the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18), and rejecting what is true. Man also justifies what is ungodly and unrighteous, and spurns what God has revealed (Romans 1:19-20). The Bible tells us that there are things about God that are manifest in man himself, such as: man's intelligence and personality, implying the same of his Creator; and man's sense of moral obligation, implying a righteous Creator. This tells us that there are things about God that are manifest in creation around him (Psalm 19:1-2).

Additionally, there are invisible attributes of God, seen and understood by things that are visible (e.g., design and order of the universe imply eternal power and Deity). When man fails to listen to the beauty and design of the universe that declares "God exists!", God is angry! God also expresses his rightful indignation because man is ungrateful and foolish. For instance, not being thankful to God (Romans 1:21a).

Even when they knew Him they failed to glorify Him as God. They became futile in their thoughts and foolish in their hearts (Romans 1:21b-23). Thus they suffered the consequence of not glorifying God. Ungratefulness and foolishness lead man to idolatry (the worship of creation instead of the Creator), such as: making God into their own image, and making God into the image of other animate objects.

But don't think for a moment that this was exclusive to ancient times! Modern man has his own idols. In today's world we see secular humanism (worshipping self), covetousness (worshipping money) Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5. When man ceases to be thankful to God, and esteems created things over Him, then God is angry! Scripture tells us that the wrath of God on the last day will involve a fiery end (2 Peter 3:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). It might appear that God's wrath being revealed today is more subtle, but terrible nonetheless!

We have just seen some reasons WHY God manifests his wrath. So then, HOW does God manifest His wrath? One way is, He "gives man up" to moral uncleanness! God "gave them up" (Romans 1:24a). There was no fire from heaven striking those foolish people down, they were simply left to their own desires. They were left to (moral) uncleanness (Romans 1:24b); in the lusts of their hearts (wherever their wicked hearts led them (Mark 7:21-23). They dishonored their bodies among themselves (in what way, see below). Why? Because they exchanged the truth of God for the lie (Romans 1:25). They worshipped and served that which is created rather than He who is the Creator and worthy to be blessed forever!

Another way God manifests His wrath is He "gives man up" to vile passions! Again, God "gave them up" (Romans 1:26a). There was no lightning from heaven striking anyone down, He just simply left man to his vile passions, such as using bodies designed for procreation in ways that do not. In other words, men and women perverting the natural use of their sex by unnatural acts (Romans 1:26-27).

God also manifests his wrath when He "gives man up" to debased minds and unrighteousness! Yet again, God "gave them over" (Romans 1:28). Since they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do things not fitting. The result of being "given up" (of being filled with all unrighteousness) Romans 1:29-31 includes:
a. Wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness;
b. Envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness;
c. Whisperers, backbiters, haters of God;
d. Violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, and
e. Undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful.
They know the righteous judgment of God; that such things are deserving of death (Romans 1:32). Yet they still do it, and they approve those who do it!

In conclusion, God's wrath is manifested today by simply allowing man to go his own way. In other words, to follow the desires of his heart, and to follow the passions of his lusts, stumbling in blind ignorance to increasing degrees of depravity (Ephesians 4:17-19). God's mercy is manifested today for those willing to turn back to Him, willing to acknowledge His revelation, and willing to be thankful to Him!

Prayer:

Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
-Psalms 51: 9-12

God bless you,

Cheryl