Saved From Wrath (Romans 1:18-32)
Why do people say the God of the Old Testament is angry, but the God of the New Testament is kind? You've probably heard someone say, “I could never believe in a God who did x, y, and z from the Old Testament." Maybe you have thought it as you have studied. But the truth is that God's wrath is clearly described in the New Testament. God is not two faced. He doesn't appear to be kind and merciful one minute, then cruel and hateful the next. The New Testament actually helps us understand how wrath and mercy can co-exist in a good and loving creator. Jesus, himself is the perfect explanation of that dichotomy.
Today, we will look at a text that I have often thought of as a full on discussion of God's wrath, but I would like for us to see how, even in this New Testament text on God's wrath, we see mercy. God's wrath and love cannot be easily separated. The two mix together in tension with each other, much like they are mixed inside of us. We will also see the reason why so much misinformation has spread over the last few decades about our God, and we will learn what we ought to do about it.
Our Godless Behavior & God's Wrath
Romans 1:18 (ESV) — 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
In this first section, we will see all forms of godless behavior. Paul starts it by saying God's wrath is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. Unrighteousness and ungodliness is to say man's rejection of what is obviously right and resembling the goodness of our creator.
Paul then goes on to describe unrighteousness and ungodliness as idolatry and exalting God's creation over God. It is also sexual immorality (which includes homosexuality), covetousness, malice, envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness, gossiping, slandering, pride, greed, heartlessness, oppression, and many other things. These are all items that Paul says are worthy of God's wrath.
So this means God is still wrathful in the New Testament. But are these things worthy of God's wrath? We might answer, "It depends." Is it good for someone to be so full of envy and covetousness that they destroy you and take what you have? Of course not. These are the types of actions that God is rightly wrathful against. But there are times when I would do these things and be justified. So then, the question is not, "Does God still have wrath in the New Testament." That answer is obviously, "Yes." But the question is, "Does His wrath show Him being evil?"
The reason we may disagree with Paul about one or two of these points being worthy of wrath is because we engage in these things. Have we ever slandered or gossiped? Are we covetous, envious, and greedy to the point of oppressing others? Isn't it easy for us to engage in these sins right now? But these actions destroy families and communities. Promises of judgment toward those who have godless behavior is not evil. Wrath, in and of itself, is not wrong. Our contention comes from our desire to do the evil He promises to be wrathful against.
So, just because God will judge against evil, doesn't make Him evil. That makes Him good. God’s wrath protects the oppressed, showing His love even in judgment. The two are in tension with one another, intermixed in one, all knowing, all powerful, ever present being.
Toleration & Creation
Even understanding that, we tend to hate the idea and shudder at the thought of judgment. We might ask, "Why would God judge and not tolerate sin?" The truth is that God has tolerated sin. He is patient. But there is only so much evil that anyone who is good can tolerate before they become negligent. We know that. The people who preach tolerance in our society are the most intolerant of all. They don't tolerate anyone who refuses to accept their beliefs. They justify violence, stating that they are freeing the oppressed. In actuality, they are harshly judging people who have offended them.
God, on the other hand, has tolerated sinful man for a long time. Perhaps longer than he should have. Paul also reiterates this in Romans.
Romans 1:19–20 (ESV) — 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Here Paul talks about how tolerant God is. Those who are godless and unrighteous have been allowed be this way since the beginning of creation. They have rejected God's goodness every single day as they wake up, eat, drink, and breath what He gives them. So Paul says they have no excuse. For over 2,000 years, he had tolerated man's ungodliness and disrespect. Every day when they wake up, the sun and rain is not withheld from them. He doesn't destroy them at the first sign of sin.
This tolerance of God is seen in multiple places throughout the Old Testament. Most of the time you see God's wrath, there are decades of patience proceeding it. A summary of God's tolerance can be found in Acts.
Acts 14:16–17 (ESV) — 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
The New Testament apostles make it clear that God has been more than tolerant, allowing men to walk in their own ways. Also, notice the statement that "he did not leave himself without witness." God showed them what was good by giving them their rain and food. He is still doing that.
Peter tells us that this tolerance will end, and he tells us why it hasn't ended yet. Notice carefully what he says.
2 Peter 3:7–9 (ESV) — 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
His wrath is not impulsive or reckless. It is calculated and intermixed with love and compassion. Remember, Jesus is a representation of the way that God loves. Looking back, even I can observe God's tolerance and grace as I have strayed from His will. He lovingly guided me back, helping me see the shamefulness of what I was doing. That's who he is and what he does. Have you experienced this?
Our Attitude Toward Truth
We see that God's tolerance and patience will run out on the judgment day. He remains good by providing them ample blessings and obvious signs of His existence. But these signs are ignored. Many refuse to see what is clearly before them. Paul goes on to talk about them.
Romans 1:21–23 (ESV) — 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Why do men do this? Why does ungodliness and unrighteousness spread on the earth like a disease? What can stop it from spreading? Don't miss this. Paul tells us that we knew God, but we refused to honor or thank Him! We exchange the truth about God's glorious works for a lie. We have decided that the immortal, glorious, creator of our universe and everything in it, is not worthy of our time and our worship. Instead, we give constant attention to men and the things they create. We said, "Truth? What is truth? Is it not what I make it?" Sadly, our minds and hearts have been corrupted by the deceitfulness of sin. This is where our ungodly behavior comes from.
So what will solve this tendency of men to suppress the truth? We see in Romans that God is working hard on the minds and hearts of people who are deceived.
Romans 1:24 (ESV) — 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,
Romans 1:26 (ESV) — 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;
Romans 1:28–31 (ESV) — 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
These texts tell us that God has been working to help these people. You might read that differently. It says God "gave them up" when they suppress the truth and believe the lie. But God cannot give up someone he wasn't trying to help. He was in some way holding on to them and trying to help them understand the truth. Also, even in the act of giving them up is not flippant. He is still wanting them to see their own foolishness and the consequences of an ungodly and unrighteous society. He wants them to see how miserable life without God is, hoping they will turn away from their ungodly behavior. It is a merciful warning, telling them that things won't get better by rebelling against God.
You see, the ultimate solution for everyone who is believing a lie is to understand the truth. They must see the truth, love the truth, submit to the truth, and never let it go again! God is gracious enough to, not only let that happen but, help it happen. This is the power of the gospel. It is the ultimate truth about man's sin and God's goodness. Jesus Christ is the solution to all of our guilt and rebellion. God throughout all time has planned for Jesus to save those who repent, but He will by no means clear those who refuse His son.
Conclusion
I found the truth when I was 12, but I didn't believe it until I was 17. I didn't really buckle down and give my life to it fully until I was about 23. God is patient with us. He is giving us time to repent, but the day will come when His patience will run out.
In the gospel, we learn that we are far more evil than we ever imagined, but also that God is far more gracious and forgiving than we would ever expect anyone to be. He provides the gospel, the good news of Jesus, salvation from wrath for all who believe. The gospel has the power to save. Will we trust in this truth? Will you trust Christ as your Savior from wrath. Believe in the gospel and give your life to Him today!