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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...

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