FROM THE PULPIT: THE WRATH AND LOVE OF GOD

Over the past year we've looked into various attributes or characteristics of Our Great and Holy God. These lessons included: His solitariness, holiness, sovereignty, long-suffering, power and faithfulness, to name a few. Today we will close this series with two of God's most often studied attributes: His Wrath and His Love.

God's Wrath

Other biblical words used in conjunction with this character of God are: Sore displeasure, burning anger or justifiable abhorrence. Webster defines the word as intense anger or indignation. "Because God is Holy, He hates all sin, and because He hates all sin His anger burns against the sinner." (A.W. Pink) The reader must realize that this attribute of God is just as much a part of God as is His Mercy or Grace. Any indifference to sin on the part of God would be a moral blemish in His character and this cannot be! We must note that this character of God is not a vindictive action of Jehovah upon sinners, but this wrath is the just sentencing of evildoers who have rebelled against His rule and government.

Many are the examples of God's wrath in the word of God: The earth curse and man driven from Eden. (Gen. 3) The flood (Gen 7,8) and Sodom and Gomorra. The sending of Christ to satisfy the Law, and many others too numerous to mention. Some texts which clearly show such actions of God against sin and sinners (also too numerous to mention them all): (Deut. 10:17, I Sam. 2:3, 10; Job 8:3; Na. 1:3, 6; Acts 17:31, Eph. 5:1-6; Pet. 2:9). Needless t`o say, rightly understanding this character of God should cause us to :1) Reverence His Holy name, fear Him and Repent of our evil ways, 2) Realize just how hideous sin is. 3) Praise God for such a deliverance from this just anger (either God's anger will land on Christ or it must lie upon us).

God's Love

This attribute of God is so large it overwhelms the heart and soul as well as the mind. Strong expounds the word as: To have affection for; delight in; to be a friend to, extreme kindness towards. Many are the misconceptions of the Love of God, may writer and reader both, petition to God in His word for clearer understanding.

God's Love has certain qualities. They are:

1) It's uninfluenced: The love of God cannot be influenced or prompted by its objects (II Tim. 1:9) When depravity and sin are understood correctly, this must be so. There's nothing in us to pity, just to condemn and judge.

2) It's eternal: The love of God to His people is called everlasting love. (Jer. 31:3)

3) It's sovereign: (Rom. 9:19, Hosea 11:1,2) God loves who he does solely based and according to His own good pleasure and of His own free will. (Eph. 1:4,5)

4) It's infinite: It's higher than high, deeper than deep, wider than all the universe. It knows no limits to its objects (elect) and knows no boundaries towards those who are affected by it.

5) It's immutable: Once this kindness is given, it cannot be taken back, it never changes from year to year it's always the same, always pure and always steadfast. (Rom. 9:35-39)

6) It's Holy: (Heb. 12:6) "God is Light" as well as Love.

7 )It accomplished something: The salvation of all of God's elect from every nation, tongue and tribe. It honored God's justice and His Law. It actually reconciled two opposing sides (the sinner and Jehovah). And one thing for sure is that it cannot ever fail, everyone for whom Christ died and Loved with His precious blood will be redeemed, saved and pardoned; all others will experience that wrath which is so terrible that pen cannot describe or words express.

May God give us a clearer look at His Son, the Son of His Love and the only hope of poor, lost and helpless sinners.

Drew Dietz is pastor of Sovereign Grace Church of Jackson.