Is God A God Of Love Or A God Of Wrath?

Question

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). 

First:  God Of Wrath

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. 

Conclusion

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