Years ago I heard the story of a little girl was asked why God was harsher in the OT than in the NT? She thought for a moment and said, "That was before God became a Christian!" As I reflect on this, it reflects a lot of our preaching/teaching today.
Too many today preaching/teaching are focusing on the love aspect as all nice and pleasant. We see God's wrath and can't deny it but many go over-board on the love and hope that can paralyze the spiritual well being of many. As we see Jesus, who was the exact representation of God (Heb. 1:3), we reveal His kind and caring responses to people and almost gloss over the wrath that He demonstrated at times. (Yes, He did demonstrate it!) The problem we seem to have is many misconstrue God's wrath as the absence of His love. What a tragidy! God never acts loveless...ever! God's wrath is one face of His redeeming love!!!
If my child was repeatedly and knowingly heading the wrong direction with wrong attitudes, what will I do? Just coddle them and say nice little things to woo them back? We will take action, whatever is necessary to get them back on track, to get them to change their attitudes because if they continue down a destructive path, the end result will be horrible. We don't want our children to destroy their lives. In giving out pain to that rebellious child, is that just being wrathful or is it love?
God rescued His people from bondage. He carried them and what did they do? They sacrficed to god's of other nations to His face, they ignored His teachings and provoked Him with insults and wrong attitudes. What was God going to do? His wrath was poured out because of His redeeming love. He wanted them saved and yet when they continue to refuse, something had to be done. Today, to many preach/teach a 'mushy' and 'fluffy' God. (Just read some of the preachers blogs.) The result has been tragic. There is little respect and reverence for God's holy love. "Do as you please, have fun because God loves us all!" becomes the mind set. I am not trying to berate anyone but trying to emphasize the love of God involves His wrath.
God's wrath is not the absence of God's love but it is His love taking a form we just don't like to accept. God in His wrath is choosing to remove the sin we easily wrap ourselves around so we can come back under His tender, loving watch and care. Take some time and read Hebrews 12 and there you will see the redeeming wrath of God's love. It might open our eyes and will definately produce a greater love and respect for our heavenly Father. By the way, can you remember your parents correcting you in times past and see their love for you?
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