Is God A God Of Love Or A God Of Wrath?
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April 13, 2004
Is God a God of Love or a God of wrath?
Answer
Over the years, I have
received many emails by readers telling me how wrong I am for preaching God is a
God of wrath. They usually throw in
that the God they know is a God of love that would never condemn anyone to hell.
He’s a good God and I need to stop preaching otherwise.
Of course, I’ve
never preached anything but the Gospel. So
what is the truth? Is God a God of
wrath or of Love? The truth is
He’s both! Let’s take a look at
scripture and let the Word of God speak for itself (in context).
There
is a modern day belief going around that God will in the end allow everyone to
enter into heaven because He is a God of love.
This is what the scriptures say regarding this very point:
2:1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall
be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even
denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2:2
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of
truth shall be evil spoken of.
2:3
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise
of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not.
2:4
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell,
and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
2:5
And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a
preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
2:6
And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them
with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live
ungodly;
2:7
And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
2:8
(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed
his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
2:9
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to
reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2:10
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness,
and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid
to speak evil of dignities.
2:11
Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing
accusation against them before the Lord.
2:12
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak
evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their
own corruption;
2:13
And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it
pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting
themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
2:14
Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling
unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed
children:
Second: God of Love
Yes,
God is a God of love! He proved
that by sending His only Son to die for the sins of the world (John3:16).
He who knew no sin took on the sins of the world that we might have
eternal life (2 Corinthians 5:21). There
are plenty of scriptures that describe God’s love toward us and His
attributes, but none more than Romans 8:37-39:
8:37
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that
loved us.
8:38
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
8:39
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate
us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Here
are a few more Biblical examples of God’s love for us:
Joh
3:16 For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.
1Jo
4:10 Herein is love, not that we
loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our
sins.
Eph
2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy,
for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph
2:5 Even when we were dead in sins,
hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph
2:6 And hath raised us up together,
and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph
2:7 That in the ages to come he
might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through
Christ Jesus.
So is
God a God of love or of wrath? The
answer is simple! God is a God of
love that gave His only Son, to die for the sins of the world that we might have
fellowship with Him. He loves and
cherishes us. But until we are born
again through Christ Jesus we cannot claim that love.
We are separated from God due to our sin and unless we repent we will be
separated from Him forever.
But
there is good news! We don’t have
to be separated from God because Jesus paid for our sins past, present and
future. All we have to do is accept
the sacrifice Christ made, believe in our heart, repent and live for Him.
It’s that simple!
The
real shame is that many will die and go to hell with their sins paid in full.
That’s a real tragedy that happens everyday.
But it doesn’t have to happen to you.
Yes,
God is a God of love, but He won’t hesitate to stay true to His Word.
“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to
hell” and “spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a
preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the
ungodly”, don’t expect Him to spare you.
You’re only fooling yourself.
Today,
if you are unsure about your eternal destination, I’m here to tell you that
you can know for sure that you are going to heaven from this day forward.
Jesus
loves you and does care about you. If
you would like to receive Him as Lord of your life please pray this prayer with
me:
"Father,
I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am
truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you.
Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son,
Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and
hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign
in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey
You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen."
If you have accepted
Jesus as Lord and Savior please send me an email.
Now that you're a
Christian there are a number of things you need to do. Get in a church. It is
important that you find a good local church.
Start reading your
Bible and praying daily. This is very important if you are to develop your
Christian walk.
It is impossible to succeed as a Christian without these three basic fundamentals. No one can do it for you, only you. Allow Jesus to walk in your life.
Pastor Malone