The Wrath of God

The common thinking is that we do good things and God likes us, we do bad things and God sends down His wrath to consume us. So if we do enough good things then it will balance out the bad and God will have to like us.

It's a nice sentiment - and it's wrong. I can believe it if I want but it doesn't make it true. The real truth is much more serious than that and demands our attention.

The Apostle John made a startling statement in chapter 3 of his gospel:

John 3:39 "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal ife; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." NIV

Did you notice that word "remains." It suggests that something was already there and hasn't moved. The truth is that when we were born we already had the wrath of God on us. That's because sin has infected the human race since almost the beginning due to disobedience. It took only one sinful act to bring about God's wrath - and no amount of good work on our part can undo that one act of disobedience.

Without going into huge detail - my point is that we are evil and God is justified in judging us for that evil because He alone is good and pure through and through. That judgment or wrath remains on us except in one circumstance, and that is if we believe that God's Son Jesus stood in our place and received God's wrath meant for us.

I know it's a simple thought for today - but something very profound the meditate on and rejoice in.