Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)
Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 3 - God's Wrath, Righteousness, and Love)
Paul starts his exposition of the grace gospel with reference to the wrath of God in Rom.1:18,
Rom.1:18-19 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Why does Paul do this? Isn't the gospel supposed to be 'good news'? What is so good about knowing about God's wrath? Well, this question has two answers,
- God's wrath cannot and shouldn't be ignored. It is a true and very important fact to know.
- God's wrath brings value to the sacrifice of Christ, and confirmation of His great love for us.
If one had to share the gospel with someone, they'd only have half the gospel if you only shared the cross, the resurrection, and God's love. These aspects are emphasized by the fact that God despises and cannot tolerate sin, and the fact that we are sinners, qualifies us utterly to be the recipients of His righteous and horrific wrath. As utterly loving and forgiving God is towards us, we can expect no less than His utter vengeance and righteous wrath upon us for our rebellion.
Paul lays this out with great clarity and truth in Romans chapters 1 to 3. God's wrath is just and will be poured out in perfect righteousness and justice. All men have sinned and fallen short of His glory. Everyone is guilty and an enemy of God because of their ungodliness and unrighteousness. The law of God is a standard that every one of us has broken continuously. We have no excuse, we have no defense, we are utterly exposed and guilty. Eternal death is our deserved and ultimate sentence.
But God had great love for us, and He made a way to save us. The question is how? How could a righteous and just God declare us, who are sinners, as righteous, innocent, and blameless? If a judge in our human courts acquitted a guilty man and set him free, that judge would be labeled a fraud, and an injustice to the law and to the system. Well, similarly, if God declared us, who are ungodly and unrighteous, as righteous, that would certainly corrupt His righteousness and make Him a fraud. But God, in His wisdom, was able to remain just and be the justifier of all those who believe in Christ. You see, God did pour out all of His wrath and vengeance upon a man, His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus was the scapegoat. Jesus received the full brunt of God's fierce anger for the sins of man; and Jesus did it while being absolutely sinless and righteous. Because of this, Jesus was able to be the propitiation for God's wrath: Jesus served as the means to appease or satisfy God’s wrath; and his righteousness could be freely imputed upon all who believed in Him, as reflected in Romans 3.
So, God's wrath was not set aside. God's wrath never dissipated. God could not remain righteous if He did not punish sin. All of this was done and was satisfied in Christ on the cross. Jesus took our place and received God's wrath for us. The cross becomes a perfect paradox of God's hatred for sin and His punishment of sin, but it also demonstrates God's utter love for us, to free us of that curse through the sacrifice of His Son in our place. Understanding God's wrath helps us to value His love and recognize His justice and righteousness. The gospel truly becomes GOOD news when we have the full picture of His wrath and love in the cross.
When I dealt with Romans 2 and 3 in a Bible study, someone asked if God is pouring His wrath out on humans today. Is God actively judging people and pouring out wrath upon them in vengeance for their sins and rebellion? And if so, what is the value then of the cross? Well, it was a good question, but something that is easily explained.
Have a look at the following verse,
2Cor.5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
God is not judging men today. Today we are all under the grace of God because of the cross. Today, we all have opportunity to find peace with God, and this is realized if we believe in Jesus Christ and His cross work,
Rom.3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:
But what about sickness, accidents, disasters and hardships? Isn't that God's wrath manifested upon us for our sins? The answer is no. If the word of God, specifically verses like 2Cor.5:19 is to be believed, then that is not judgement and wrath. We are not immune to the curse of sin. We all live in an imperfect world where the creature groans, Rom.8:22-23. Sickness, accidents, disasters and hardships is not God's wrath. These are simply the effects of living in an imperfect world. Much of it we also bring upon ourselves because of consequences. If we abuse substances, we suffer in our body. If we violate responsible living, we can suffer the consequences. Illness is a part of life. Things can happen to any one of us, especially if we choose to live outside the values of the Word of God. Besides consequences, there is also the understanding that God disciplines those He loves, Heb.12:6. This too is not wrath.
I'll end this post with a link to a post I formulated that distinguishes the difference between discipline and wrath by comparing scriptures and facts regarding these two values. They are far from being similar.
What is the difference between God's wrath and God's discipline?
God bless.
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