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The Wrath of God


The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20)

            When we hear about someone doing terrible things to another person, we get angry. That person deserves to have terrible things happen to him!  In fact, some people would be delighted to be the instrument of wrath on that person. We would teach that person a thing or three. When we believe that God's wrath is being measured out at a level we approve on someone we think deserves it, it's a cause for joy. But when we don't approve, then we believe we are just in measuring out our wrath against God. In short, God's wrath is perfect and good and just - as long as we are the god in question.
            Imagine you painted a magnificent masterpiece or directed a spectacular movie, perfect in every detail. Now imagine someone picking up a brush, or sitting at the computer with the declaration that what you have made needs to be fixed. "There are just a few small changes," they insist, but what was once a cohesive whole is shredded on the floor, and the message you wanted to convey turned upside down and inside out.  Would you say "OK" or would your wrath be justified?
      How often do we try to take the brush from God? How often do we want to splice in a scene, or change the storyline altogether? God graciously allows us to have an input into His masterpiece and we think we understand His art well enough to make changes. As the creator of the universe, He designed things according to His plan. As the ruler of the universe, He set the rules. Every time we try to make the universe be the way we want it to be, we're not only messing with His masterpiece, but we're committing treason and murder. If God were not wrathful, there would be something wrong with Him.


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On The Calendar:
Benjamin Franklin's birthday (1706)

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