The Wrath of God

 "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness." Romans 1:18

    I hate conflict. When someone's mad at me, a boulder sits on my chest, sapping my strength. I cannot rest until I make things right (if I can) with that person.

    Imagine God being mad at me? I remember seeing a billboard years ago on which was written in stark, white lettering: "Don't make me come down there! - God" 

    Now, I'd much rather dwell on the love of God, how Jesus held the little children on His lap or the tenderness with which He sweeps the lost sheep from the cliff and carries him on His shoulders. But, in all fear and reverence for the Almighty, I must never forget the wrath of God.

    What incurs the divine indignation of this loving God? "But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." (Romans 2:8) "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36)

    The point is this: Sin is a big deal. If it wasn't then why did Jesus come down here? What do hardened hearts do? Just this week, I have heard these stories:

•  kids poured buckets of water on police officers as they hurled epithets at them 
• a man sued his own parents because they threw out his collection of pornography and won
• a billionaire experiments with dimming the sun, affecting the entire planet; no one stands up to him because he is rich and powerful 

    What do supple hearts do? They encourage one another, not repaying evil with evil, but leaving room for God to deal with that. As far as it is up to us, we are to live at peace with all people. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21) We are not saved by our good works. Rather, we are saved for good works. Remember the scourging Christ endured silently to pay for our sins, then let us repent with sincere hearts.

"Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for His wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him." Psalm 2:12