Anger is not sin. You can "be angry and sin not. (Eph 4:31)" Sin comes when that anger stems from pride, self-righteousness, self-centeredness, ungratefulness, hate towards your fellow neighbor, or envy, and provokes an ungodly reaction.
How can God be angry? He says He loves the whole world (John 3:16)! But it also says He's angry with the wicked every day, is not the whole world fallen in sin? (Psalm 7:11) Perhaps you might resolve this conflict by saying "He hates the sin, but loves the sinner." While I agree that God has a general love for His creation, He cannot draw near to us in love, unless Jesus takes our place. We are enemies of God, not His beloved children. (Romans 5:10)
"They that are of a forward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight." (Proverbs 11:20)
It's not "a forward heart" that is an abomination to the Lord, but those who posses a forward heart.
Perhaps it still seems impossible. How can God hate people, He's a God of love? If God didn't hate sinners, there would be an even greater cause for concern. For example, Berea loves children, so she must hate child abuse. Because God is just and loves righteousness, He must hate sin. Because God delights in those who are upright and represent the image of God well, He must abhor those who wallow in sin and corrupt His image.
Why am I telling you this? It's not to make controversy or to make you feel uncomfortable. It's to give God glory and to explain the gospel wholly and rightly. The more we understand the effects of our Sin in the sight of a holy God, the more the Gospel shines forth as a beacon of hope and of the awesome grace of God.
How does God's wrath fit into the gospel?
"But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Wow! While we were an abomination to God and His anger resided against us, Jesus came to earth, lived the perfect life we couldn't, died on the cross to bear our punishment, and rose again defeating sin and death. The anger that resided in us was turned and poured on Jesus!!! (Josh 7:1b, 26)
Friends, it wasn't the nails in His hands, or the cross He was hung on, or the whippings He endured from the hands of the Romans that made Him sweat great drops of blood in the garden. (Matt 26:39) It was the cup of the wrath of God.
The Father forsook the Son (Mark 15:34), poured out His judgement upon Him and Jesus shed His blood so that we might be forgiven and God could love us as much as His only begotten Son in whom He delights. What a glorious God we live for!!
"I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me." Isaiah 12:1
Sincerely, Brooke
How can God be angry? He says He loves the whole world (John 3:16)! But it also says He's angry with the wicked every day, is not the whole world fallen in sin? (Psalm 7:11) Perhaps you might resolve this conflict by saying "He hates the sin, but loves the sinner." While I agree that God has a general love for His creation, He cannot draw near to us in love, unless Jesus takes our place. We are enemies of God, not His beloved children. (Romans 5:10)
"They that are of a forward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight." (Proverbs 11:20)
It's not "a forward heart" that is an abomination to the Lord, but those who posses a forward heart.
Perhaps it still seems impossible. How can God hate people, He's a God of love? If God didn't hate sinners, there would be an even greater cause for concern. For example, Berea loves children, so she must hate child abuse. Because God is just and loves righteousness, He must hate sin. Because God delights in those who are upright and represent the image of God well, He must abhor those who wallow in sin and corrupt His image.
Why am I telling you this? It's not to make controversy or to make you feel uncomfortable. It's to give God glory and to explain the gospel wholly and rightly. The more we understand the effects of our Sin in the sight of a holy God, the more the Gospel shines forth as a beacon of hope and of the awesome grace of God.
How does God's wrath fit into the gospel?
"But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Wow! While we were an abomination to God and His anger resided against us, Jesus came to earth, lived the perfect life we couldn't, died on the cross to bear our punishment, and rose again defeating sin and death. The anger that resided in us was turned and poured on Jesus!!! (Josh 7:1b, 26)
Friends, it wasn't the nails in His hands, or the cross He was hung on, or the whippings He endured from the hands of the Romans that made Him sweat great drops of blood in the garden. (Matt 26:39) It was the cup of the wrath of God.
The Father forsook the Son (Mark 15:34), poured out His judgement upon Him and Jesus shed His blood so that we might be forgiven and God could love us as much as His only begotten Son in whom He delights. What a glorious God we live for!!
"I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me." Isaiah 12:1
Sincerely, Brooke
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