Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

(Continued from Day 38)

God’s wrath comes in two forms:

1. Passive wrath—In Romans 1:18, Paul says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”

2. Active wrath—In Romans 2:5, Paul says, “You are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.”

In passive wrath, God allows us to do whatever we want without stopping us. Jesus’ passive wrath was revealed when He told Judas Iscariot to go and do what he wanted and betray Jesus. America, along with everyone else who is alive and sinning on the earth, is currently experiencing God’s passive wrath. Passive wrath allows us to sin, storing up judgment for ourselves on the day of God’s active judgment. No one will “get away with” anything. Everyone sinning is storing up everything.

What will finally happen with God’s wrath? There are two options:

1. Jesus has taken God’s wrath for us on the cross so that we can escape God’s wrath.

2. Jesus pours out God’s wrath on us in hell. There is no escape.

Some people mistakenly believe God rules heaven and Satan rules hell. The truth is Jesus Christ is Lord over all. He rules both in heaven and hell. Satan rules no one, nowhere, and nothing when God has the final word. In Revelation 14:10, the unrepentant sinner who stored up passive wrath in life will then experience active wrath in death. “He also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”

Today’s Reflection

Have you ever heard of God’s passive wrath? Do you find this concept comforting or concerning? Why did you choose your answer?