Thoughts on Wrath

Generally Christians avoid the subject of God’s wrath.
Or, they indulge in His wrath and judgement without mentioning His other traits,
and in general other Christians avoid them.

It’s always an awkward topic - especially with nonbelievers - and even more so with skeptics.
But I believe that the root of the problem is a misunderstanding & clouded view of what the wrath of God truly is.

There are a couple things that need to be realized when talking about God’s less popular side:

First of all, the Bible has clearly established that God is Perfect - the epitome of complete, without blemish or mark, omnipotent, almighty. So much so that, in His owns words, He declares that He wants to be called simply: “I AM” (Exodus 3:14)

Secondly, the Bible openly speaks of God’s anger and wrath -
Jeremiah 25:15-16
This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. When they drink it, they will stagger and go mad because of the sword I will send among them.”
John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for
God’s wrath remains on them.
Psalm 52:5-7
Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at him, saying, "Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!"
There are many, many more verses that seem to hold much, much more venom towards humanity.

God does not seem ashamed of this characteristic of His - so why do we as Christians act like we are?

Because we live and grow in this world, we’ve developed a worldview on wrath - it is painful, overpowering, undeserved, and usually seen within an unjust and power-hungry ruler.

Americans especially seem like we’d have a hard time grasping a leader who is wrathful - could you ever imagine the President of the United States to act out on the people in wrath? He would be instantly shut down and kicked out.

Let me share with you a huge quote on the subject, that really helped open by eyes, by A W Pink:

“It is sad to find so many professing Christians who appear to regard the wrath of God as something for which they need to make an apology, or at least they wish there were no such thing. While some would not go so far as to openly admit that they consider it a blemish on the Divine character, yet they are far from regarding it with delight; they like not to think about it, and they rarely hear it mentioned without a secret resentment rising up in their hearts against it. Even with those who are more sober in their judgment, not a few seem to imagine that there is a severity about the Divine wrath which is too terrifying to form a theme for profitable contemplation. Others harbor the delusion that God’s wrath is not consistent with His goodness, and so seek to banish it from their thoughts.
Yes, many there are who turn away from a vision of God’s wrath as though they were called to look upon some blotch in the Divine character, or some blot upon the Divine government. But what saith the Scriptures? As we turn to them we find that God has made no attempt to conceal the fact of His wrath. He is not ashamed to make it known that vengeance and fury belong unto Him.
A study of the concordance will show that there are more references in Scripture to the anger, fury, and wrath of God, than there are to His love and tenderness.
Now the wrath of God is as much a Divine perfection as is His faithfulness, power, or mercy. It must be so, for there is no blemish whatever, not the slightest defect in the character of God; yet there would be if ‘wrath’ were absent from Him!
The wrath of God is His eternal detestation of all unrighteousness. It is the displeasure and indignation of Divine equity against evil. It is the holiness of God stirred into activity against sin. It is the moving cause of that just sentence which He passes upon evil-doers. God is angry against sin because it is a rebelling against His authority, a wrong done to His inviolable sovereignty. Insurrectionists against God’s government shall be made to know that God is the Lord. They shall be made to feel how great that Majesty is which they despise, and how dreadful is that threatened wrath which they so little regarded. Not that God’s anger is a malignant and malicious retaliation, inflicting injury for the sake of it, or in return for injury received. No; while God will vindicate His dominion as Governor of the universe, He will not be vindictive.”

Dealing With Disagreement

Being Exemplary Through Reacting to Disagreement

We all get into disagreements.

We get that feeling of the need to prove ourselves.

This is a weak point for lots of Christians, even when discussing Christian matters.

So how do we combat it?

Don’t Rush Into Argument

First off, the Bible really clearly says what to do in a matter of a few short words:

Proverbs 17:14

“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.”(NIV)

If you are caught in a disagreement with a fellow brother or sister, don’t always assume you’re able to come to terms with the matter on your own. If the problem can’t be solved between the two of you, ask the advice of someone wiser, who you respect.

Proverbs 13:10

“Pride only breeds quarrels,

but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” (NIV)

We’re also presented the consequence of arguing with another:

Galatians 6:7-8

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (NIV)

It often feels like a blow to one’s pride, backing off from arguing, but:

Proverbs 20:3 (NIV)

“It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.”

Don’t Argue For the Sake of Your Pride

Philippians 2:3-4

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (NKJV)

When you get into an argument, you know you’re the right one, you feel it.

But regardless of who’s side is more accurate, no battle will be won with just sharp words. Trying to show someone the “truth” could only lead to more destruction if you’re only doing it because you’re bent on being right.

Proverbs 18:19

“A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.” (KJV)

Keep in mind that the Father knows what you’re doing, even if the one you’re arguing with doesn’t:

Proverbs 3:34

New King James Version (NKJV)

34 Surely He scorns the scornful,

     But gives grace to the humble.

Don’t stand up for yourself- let God and the Scriptures do that.

1 Peter 5:6 -7

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.

Keep the focus on God

Realize it’s not your place to tell them what they believe is wrong (unless it is in concordance with Scripture for you to do so)

Know that it’s ultimately up to God to settle scores, don’t do it on your own.

James 4

10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Micah 6:8

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (NKJV)

The Lord doesn’t require you to prove every sinner wrong. Instead:

1 Thess 5 says:

encourage each other and build each other up,

Romans 14:19

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."

Body

 Based on 1 Corinthians 12

Unbelievable - they look all over,
Not a thing to keep the eyes at bay.
It sees so much but does nothing.
The eyes, blind to their body,
Yes, seeing, lonely eyes.

Uncanny -  pair of roughened hands with
New tasks to complete, just hoping that
If they work well they'll feel stronger -
They can't see the plans ahead.
Yes, strong hands, but blind hands.

Unnatural - a sole brain sits alone
Not being rash, and ever thinking.
Its great thoughts can come to nothing,
The brain has naught for work.
Yes, a wise, a weak brain.

Unfortunately, this list goes on, with
Needy feet and ears and backs that shout,
"If only, we could find our point,"
They wish and hope for purpose,
Yes, needing to find hope.

Until, one day, they come across a mirror -
Nearing, they find not themselves they see,
It was instead a single man,
The one that they could yet be.
Yes, one man, one body.

Unified, at last, and for one purpose -
Nurturing and building up each other

In the name of He who's whole who gave the
Thought of life, together, as one body.
Yes, a full life, a whole life, a true life.

Surely - A Poem

Surely
Psalm 51:5-10

Surely I was born in a grave
My body, my coffin
A home for the cold and dirty
And locked in by impurity

Surely You saw me and forgave
Saw me dead as I was
And opened me, and shone Your light
Such truth and wisdom shine through night

Surely Your purpose is to lave
I dream of Your sweet smell
You scrubbed my skin, washed  from within
The grime, the dirt, the muck and sin

Surely my road is newly paved
For broken are my bones
To be sewn back together true
To do what they were born to do

Surely I shall not misbehave
For You ought turn Your head
Now that I have Your confidence
To replace sin with innocence

Surely You are the one to save
So please give me a pure
A clean, a wise, a holy, free
A steadfast spirit within me.