Paul wants to get the hard stuff out of the way right up front, so he begins with the never-popular subject of the wrath of God. People don’t like to talk about God’s wrath. It’s scary and uncomfortable. So instead, we just talk about God’s love. Don’t get me wrong. God’s love is amazing. It is unfailing and everlasting and long-suffering. God is love! He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to endure His wrath in our place. On the cross, both God’s wrath and God’s love were displayed in one merciful moment! But God’s love does not cancel out His holiness, and His holiness is incompatible with sin. (Romans 1:18-25)
“We cannot embrace the attributes of God that make us comfortable and reject the rest.”
R.C. Sproul
To avoid the reality of the wrath of God, people choose instead to deny His existence or to make Him into something they are more comfortable with – a benevolent benefactor in the sky who would never judge anyone. They would rather come up with their own theories about God than acknowledge a sovereign Creator. Because if He does exist, they are accountable to Him. And if He is holy, they fall far short.
The result of stubborn unrepentance is a hardened heart, and it will not end well.
When people begin by denying the reality of God and who He is and continue in that direction, it will not end well.
When people believe there is “a god” but attempt to make him into something He is not, it will not end well.
When people acknowledge God and His laws but believe they’re “good enough” to escape His wrath on their own, it will not end well.
“Every person is going to have to face the judgment of God. We will either face it on our own or we will face it with God’s appointed defense attorney, Jesus.”
R.C. Sproul
The wrath of God is as real as the love of God. And if the book of Romans ended before chapter three, we would be without hope. But stay tuned! The Good News is coming!
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Read ahead: Romans 1:24-32
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