Romans 1:18-20 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of human beings who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
As much as we would all like to believe that God is love, mercy, compassion and peace, there is a distinct side of God that reveals His wrath. Wrath in a tame sense is defined as “extreme anger”; it is also defined as “divine retribution for sin”*. Retribution is “punishment that is considered to be morally right and fully deserved”. Why is it deserved? Because God cannot abide with sin and so if those who have shunned God and His forgiveness to go their own way insist on continuing down that path, God has no choice but to punish them. They have brought it on themselves. His power and divine nature have been revealed through the ages and yet man has seen fit to ignore it or worse still, mock it and for that God must pour out His wrath. The Bible declares that God is a jealous God.
Exodus 20:4-6 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
God shall not tolerate insolence or rebellion from His created beings. They are ignorant of His might and power and while He is loving and His love is unconditional towards those who have received Him, His love is not extended forever to those who hate Him. They are given the same opportunity to repent, but knowing the condition of a man’s heart, God will punish those whose sin and hatred has galvanized their hearts against Him. God is no one to trifle with. He offers a blanket pardon to all who would receive it. He asks for our service in making that offer known to our fellow man. He offers wisdom, guidance and protection in the face of terrible odds and will bless those whose hearts are turned towards Him. Yet woe to those who shun God and His ways for a day will come when “the sun will be turned to darkness and moon to blood on the great and terrible day of the Lord”(Acts 2:20). On that day, that last day on earth, man will seek redemption and not find it for the Lord will bring His wrath upon the earth that has cast Him aside. Fear the Lord in awe and reverence, for His power is great and His judgment is swift. Don’t be caught on the fence teetering between belief and unbelief. “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve …” (Joshua 24:15 NASB).
WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!
*As found in www.thefreedictionary.com.
