Skip to main content

The Wrath Of God: What Are You Saying?

“The postmodern world has no need of half evangelists preaching a half gospel to the half converted, and leading a halfhearted church.” -Dr. Albert Mohler
I am sure that many will agree with Dr. Mohler, but I wonder how many would wholeheartedly agree if they knew the context of his statement? He is speaking about how so few pastors ever preach or teach on the wrath of God and the judgment to come, a topic that receives rare coverage in these current times.
Mohler goes on to say, “if there is any one Christian doctrine that is most uniformly dismissed by a post Christian, postmodern world, this is it.” The idea of God’s wrath is so repulsive to many churches and theologians that they work diligently to deny and destroy it altogether. They say things like: “God is not mad at anyone”. “God loves all His children and just wants them to do good things and get along.” “There is no wrath; we all just suffer the consequences of our own selfish actions.”
Those who believe this should read their Bibles more carefully - much more carefully! God’s wrath is not like our human emotion, but is His settled opposition to sin. If God does not judge sin than God is not just, but God is just. We humans are always looking for justice and feel indignant when we or others are treated unjustly. We are quick to spout off, “That’s not fair!”, unless, of course, WE are the perpetrators.
God, the Just, is the one who will settle all scores. As St. Paul writes: Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap; burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:19
If there is no judgement or wrath of God, than there is no urgency for or even the necessity of proclaiming the message of Salvation through Jesus Christ! In other words, we would be wasting a lot of time, energy and resources. However, if there is a judgment and God will pour His wrath out on the sinner, then we must do all within our power, with the help of Heaven, to warn others. We must invite them to repent and come to the Savior to be forgiven, to make peace with God, receive His love and thereby be saved from His wrath to come. Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness….”
I can hear some say: “I am sick and tired of hearing all this hell, fire and damnation preaching! Enough!” Really? I would surely like to know where you are hearing messages like that, because I haven’t heard a message of this sort in a long, long time! I am afraid that much of the modern preaching has reduced God to the “Nice man upstairs” or “My heavenly Buddy” or something of that nature. Sadly the fear and respect of God and His holiness has been lost as we re-create God into our modern image.
“Time is short, God’s wrath is certain, and eternity hangs in the balance.” Dr. Mohler
It is time for a change!
Pastor Gary A. Smith
(Repost from 4.3.17)

• For further understanding and scriptures, please read or listen to this message from John Piper: http://www.desiringgod.org/messages...

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What's Going On: Understanding the Time We Live In

“Father, Father, We don't need to escalate; You see, war is not the answer, For only love can conquer hate; You know we've got to find a way, To bring some lovin' here today. What’s going on, what’s going on?” Some of you may recognize these lyrics sung by the late Marvin Gaye.   Yeah, what’s going on is right!   Just as Marvin’s generation struggled to make sense of their world, we are struggling today to make sense of ours.   Many are wondering if that is even possible, but let me assure you it is--but only if you have developed a Biblical World View.   I must warn you, if your World View has been shaped by the world’s academia, the major news media, celebrities, or just the voice of the majority, you will not understand “what’s going on”.   In fact, you will probably think I am nuts, but that’s alright with me.   As the Apostle Paul stated, “I am a fool for Christ.”   But as the late John Wimber, (Of The Righteous Brothers and The Vineyard f...
2 comments
Read more

Raising Kids, Manners, and The Golden Rule

So, what do Manners and The Golden Rule have to do with raising kids past and present? There really is a very important connection.  If we want to see children today grow into upstanding adults who do well in life, we really need to be diligent in teaching them manners and also The Golden Rule -- wouldn’t you agree?  Let’s first look at what is known as the Golden Rule. In Jesus’ teaching found in Matthew 7:12, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”  Wouldn’t the world be a better place if everyone was aware of and practiced this in everything?  Well, it is not something that comes automatically to people, especially children!  So you might be wondering, how do we put this into practice?   Glad you asked.  Here’s how we can start.  Begin by teaching your children good manners-- yes, I said GOOD MANNERS. Why good manners?  Because good manners are really the...
1 comment
Read more

What Will We Ever Do In Heaven?!

Have you ever wondered what heaven will be like?  I am sure you have, and frankly most people don’t seem very excited about it.  After all floating around on a cloud by ourselves, strumming a harp in a white gown (of all things) forever doesn’t sound too appealing to most people…particularly to a male!  Unfortunately, that is the concept most people seem to have, but is that what heaven is really like? Recently I was visiting my good friend’s octogenarian father and the topic of heaven came up.  At 88 you have a lot of time to think on “what’s next” and rightly so.  Physical death is a coming reality.  Yet for most all of us this thought bring a great uncertainty, which has a proclivity to produce great fear for the future, rather than great hope and expectation.    For the person who has never asked Christ for His forgiveness, nor lived their life for Him, there should be a great fear.  The Bible warns us of this so that we might turn f...
1 comment
Read more