Some have referred to the God of the Old Testament as a God of anger and the God of the New Testament as a God of love as if there were more than one God. However, God is the God Who is and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:22) And there are many examples of His grace and mercy and patience throughout the pages of the Old Testament. (note Psalm 103:8-10) Though anger ought to be controlled rather than one being controlled by it (note Genesis 4:6-7), being loving does not remove the feeling of anger. Even Paul acknowledged the human experience of anger when he exhorted to “Be angry and do not sin”. (Ephesians 4:26 ESV) As David looked to God as the refuge from his enemies, he noted God as a righteous judge “who feels indignation every day.” (Psalm 7:11 ESV) Can we understand how God’s anger would be a response toward a refusal to accept what He has lovingly provided; blessings to sustain life, the revealing of His Will, the guidance He offers, etc.? Therefore, it should be understood being under His anger is not where one has to remain. He has provided the means of deliverance from it.
God’s wrath is against all ungodliness and unrighteousness and those who suppress the truth. (Romans 1:18) However, God has provided deliverance from that wrath by the blood of Jesus. (Romans 5:9) Are we accepting His loving provision and trusting in it?
In his letter to Christians at Thessalonica, Paul wrote. . .
“(8) For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. (9) For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, (10) and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 ESV)
As these had turned “to serve the living and true God”, through Jesus they had been delivered from the wrath that will ultimately come on the disobedient. (Ephesians 5:6) It is the same for us. Jesus is our deliverance from the penalty of our sins and therefore the wrath of God. Rather than being separated from God by our sins (i.e. Isaiah 59:2), we are brought near through Christ (Ephesians 2:13) as His blood has cleansed us of our sins. Acknowledging the deliverance that is ours in Christ, may we live revealing our faith and hope in the blessed reality we will not be separated, but will ultimately be forever with God!
Have a great day DULY RESPONDING TO THE LOVE THAT PROVIDED OUR NEEDED DELIVERANCE!
Carl
