Friday, 12 July 2024

Romans part 11 - The Wrath of God

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Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. In unrighteousness they suppress the truth, because what can be known about God is plain to them - for God has shown it to them. His invisible attributes - His eternal power and His divine nature - have been clearly seen ever since the creation of the world, being understood through the things that have been made. So people are without excuse -

Last time, we dealt with the last of these verses ("without excuse"). Today, I want to deal with the first of them ("the wrath of God"). We are living in a season when grace is vastly misunderstood.

Rabbi Trail: First, let me point out that this proclamation on the wrath of God is in the New Covenant, written after the reality of the resurrection. This isn't some Old Testament, legalistic, accusation to those "under the law." This is Paul, not only is he writing to the followers of "The Way," he is writing a warning to those who stray from "The Way," who "suppress the truth in unrighteousness." End RT.

Many misunderstand grace as a means to get away with disobeying God's commands. This is wrong minded. Grace is the God-given desire and ability to obey God and His commands. That's what this passage details. The law of God is His righteous standard for everyone who desires to receive His blessings.

Another Rabbi Trail: The Torah (and all the other Scriptures) reveal the truth, but in a cryptic style. For example, "Keep the Sabbath day holy," is a statement without a lot of detail. How do we do that? We don't get much in the way of instruction.

The rabbis wrote the Talmud to provide detailed instruction. Yeshua's followers have been given the Holy Spirit to guide our observance. John 16:13 But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; but whatever He hears, He will tell you. And He will declare to you the things that are to come. End ART.

How much sin will be tolerated in heaven? That's right, zero. These subject verses implore us to wake up and stop making excuses. God's way is the way of righteousness. It IS the truth. The "truth" is not what we think or believe to be true, it is reality that is established by witnesses. We see evidence of God in His creation. But, here is an important point. We worship the creator and not the creation.

John 4:23-24 But an hour is coming - it is here now - when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people as His worshipers. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

Do that, and the wrath of God will not come upon you. John 3:36 He who trusts in the Son has eternal life. He who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.