The Wrath of God | Allen Mashburn

The first portion of chapter one has been devoted to an explanation of the Gospel and the reason for his sending this letter. Now, in this second section of chapter one, the Apostle turns his attention to those who are away from the Lord and are in need of this Gospel. For, just as much as Paul wanted the Romans to understand what the Gospel message was all about, he also wanted them to know why such a message was even necessary.

Therefore, Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write about the wrath of God. It is God's wrath against sin that forms the hub around which this last half of chapter one revolves. Now, I know that preaching about God's anger against sin is not a popular thing in our day. Man has tried his best to reduce God to some dim-witted, doting old grandfather type figure Who merely winks at the flaws in mankind and possesses no other emotion but love.

In reality, God is love, however, His one aspect of His love is His wrath and hatred of sin. God is a perfect Being! God is perfect in His love, but He is also perfect in His holiness and judgment. Yes, God is love, but may I also remind you that God is hate as well? He is love toward the sinner, but He is hate toward sin! Many people are bothered by the thought of a God Who reacts in wrath and judgment, I would be bothered by a God Who didn't!

Paul's purpose here, and through chapter 3 verse 20, is to describe for us the charges against man. Paul is going to tell us why we need to believe the Gospel of grace. The first argument he uses to call men to the Lord is to lay out the case of the prosecution. Paul is going to reveal that problems God sees with men. However, before we can understand why God is angry, we need to know a little more about the anger of God.

In this verse, we find a definition and a description of the wrath of God. Understanding this will help us to understand what is to follow.