Wrath or Love?

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. (Colossians 3:5-6 ESV) 

I was asked how people can act with unfeeling ill will towards those who are sick or terminally ill. I answered, “They are of the world, not the Lord.” All of the things Paul calls us to put to death in ourselves are of the world and brought about in us by the world and our sinful essence.

No one who is of the Lord should be indifferent to the suffering of others. It should be impossible because the Holy Spirit lives in us and convicts us of such evils. However, people love the world, which is why they reject Christ. A True Christian knows they are culpable for their actions. They will stand in judgment before the Lord and answer for the things they have done, both good and bad.

Is that a trembling day for you? Do you tremble at the thought of standing before the Lord in judgment? I am a Christian. I gave my life to Christ and serve him above all things, and that day is a trembling day for me. Yes, I have assurances in my salvation, but it is still a trembling day. Why? The wrath of almighty God.

The world will suffer God's wrath for living out all the things we are called to put to death. But you are a follower of Christ, why tremble? I tremble because I will stand before God. He is so holy, righteous, and perfect; how could I even look at Him and not feel ashamed of myself? Even wholly sanctified and rejoicing in Him, I am still me.

We read of the wrath of God all through the Bible. Sodom and Gomorrah, the great flood, Achan, and Christ. Do I know my own heart? No, I do not, but I trust my Savior does. I trust that despite my life before Him, I am completely satisfied and fulfilled in Him. As David wrote in Psalm 63, He is my God; earnestly I seek Him; my soul thirsts for Him; my flesh faints for Him, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Christ is my everything.

Why tremble? Because He is God. He is love, grace, peace, mercy, and wrath—the only one who truly knows your heart. If you do not know Christ, seek Him. Jesus is coming again in glory. How will you meet Him, with love or wrath?

Grace and Peace