“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men…” Romans 1:18
Dear Ones:
In John’s gospel, he writes: “He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not on the Son of god shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.” (Jn. 3:36) These are very sobering words. What do they mean? What is the wrath of God? Perhaps in looking at that which is the opposite of “wrath,” we might gain some insight as to its meaning. We know from John’s later writings that “God IS love.” (1 John 4:8) If God is love, how can He “reveal His wrath?” John, in speaking of the love of God addresses the matter with regard to his NATURE. God is holy in His love, unique, entire, and pure. There is nothing that is not “right” or righteous in Him. He is perfect, good, gracious, with no fault or blemish in Him. When we speak of “wrath,” we are confronted with the natural repulsiveness to that which is contrary to the truth of God’s nature. Wrath is antagonism, a set and resolved reaction and attitude of mind and heart, that rejects, condemns, and opposes every form of unrighteousness and ungodliness. The manifestation of that “wrath” is said to be REVEALED, unveiled, manifested. As the warmth of love brings forth the beauty and blessing of its object, and this by shining upon it, and revealing itself, so wrath is that disposition of God which condemns, and has already judged, every form of that which is a contradiction to God. It is active, present, and has very real and manifested consequences. Paul writes that it IS revealed from heaven. How can this be so, and why are those who refuse to believe in the Lord Jesus under God’s wrath?
Paul tells us that God has, and does, reveal Himself and His attributes of character and nature, today. “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world ARE clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” (Rom. 1:20) He has demonstrated, and does so every day, His eternal power and Godhead (wisdom, beauty, love,…His Person). Paul then says that, in light of this constant revelation of God, we are “without excuse.” The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews wrote: “In these last days, (God has)….spoken unto us by His Son…” (Heb. 1:3) John, in his gospel, completes the thought by adding: “…grace and truth came by Jesus Christ….He (Christ) has declared (or explained) Him (God.)” (Jn. 1:17,18) God IS constantly speaking to us through creation concerning His attributes, His nature. However, in the giving of His Son, to first live and walk among us, then to die on the cross for our sins, He had “declared” in the most eloquent and powerful terms, the love of God for us, and the means of God by which His wrath is turned away from us. It will be the apostle Paul, who would write those great and tremendously liberating words: “Therefore, being justified BY FAITH, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) God has done everything that LOVE can do to remove every reason and evidence for which His wrath would be towards us, and abide on us. In “laying on Christ the iniquity of us all,” (Is. 53:6) and raising Jesus from the dead, He provided us with the gift of perfect righteousness and holiness, that of Christ. It is in seeing this perfect Life, and its righteousness, given to us in answer to faith, that ALL wrath is turned away from us, and the condemnation that would be ours, is totally and forever removed. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Dear Father, how we thank Thee today that though Thy wrath is a very real, and terrible, fact, Thy love has answered its unrelenting condemnation and effects. We thank Thee for giving us Your Son to take away every reason for which Thy wrath is revealed, and giving to us the gift of His perfect righteousness, that we should have peace with God forever. How wonderful You are, and so very good. We thank and praise Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad