The Wrath of God
Christianity, Daily Walk Mar 03, 2009
We have been studying the book of Romans in our church’s Adult Christian Education program. Last Sunday, we focused on Romans 1:18-23, “God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness”, a vital theology topic for every Christian who wants to know God deeper.
Although this was a trendy sermon topic during the Great Awakening in the 19th Century, most churches nowadays no longer teach God’s anger anymore. Instead, they focus on God’s love and grace. So what is the Wrath of God, and why it is essential?
Why is God angry? Romans 1:18 says,
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
Romans 1:18 (ESV)
God is angry with people who suppress the truth; what truth? Romans 1:19-20 says,
19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19–20 (ESV)
Furthermore, Romans 1:21-23 says,
21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Romans 1:21–23 (ESV)
Instead of glorifying God, they turn to an idol and pagan worship.
The worst sin for man is the refusal of their maker; through the revelation of nature and the internal concessions, all man knows there is a God. And what is the penalty of the denial? Eternal Death.
So how does one justify their sin through the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ? Romans 1:17 says,
17…“The righteous shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:17 (ESV)
Christ, the son of God, became man and stood in man’s place to bear the wrath of God. He was punished in place of sinners, thus satisfying God’s divine justice.