Paul’s message in Romans is, above all, a testament to the power of the gospel. The Gospel is not just a nice story — it is a transformative power. And we might ask: transformation from what? What is so threatening that necessitates such a salvation? The answer: the wrath of God. To comprehend the gravity of the gospel, we need to first peel back the layers of our sins and our indiscretions, and face the harsh truth of our own brokenness. In Romans 1:18-32, Paul will hold up a mirror, reflecting back to us the magnitude of our sin. The Apostle Paul underscores the impending danger that humanity faces in the first few chapters of this book, and it starts with the four somber words “The wrath of God.”
What Exactly is God’s Wrath?
Drawing inspiration from Timothy Keller, wrath can be defined as “God’s righteous anger at the unrighteousness that is destroying the creation that He loves.” In today’s society, there is an overwhelming emphasis on God’s love. And while it is true that God is love, as declared in 1 John 4:8, it is equally critical to acknowledge His wrath. Eric Tom, in his writings, cautions against cherry-picking attributes of God. To consider only one facet of God’s nature is to distort His true image. Thus, a God who is love must, by the nature of that love, also be a God of wrath — especially when that which He cherishes is under threat.
God’s Wrath is Appropriate
Love and wrath, contrary to popular opinion, are not opposing forces. In fact, they can be deeply interlinked. Take, for instance, a parent’s love for their child. This love can give rise to a fierce protective instinct. Threaten that child, and the parent’s wrath, even in its earthly, limited capacity, can be roused. If human emotions are this intense, can we even begin to fathom the depth of God’s feelings when His beloved creation is under attack?
God’s Wrath is Deserved
In our culture, there is a prevailing notion that everyone is inherently good. This perspective, though comforting, is misleading. To dismiss God’s wrath is to diminish the reality of sin. By the same token, overemphasizing God’s love at the cost of overlooking His wrath does a disservice to the complete narrative of salvation. If we do not recognize our own brokenness, our need for salvation remains obscured.
Romans 1:18-32 is not a passage meant to incite fear but to illuminate truth. It sheds light on the impending wrath, not to paralyze us but to propel us toward the salvation offered through Christ. The gospel’s power lies in its ability to save and to understand that, we must first grasp what we are being saved from.
Why God’s Wrath is Being Revealed
Is God’s wrath revealed because it is a testament to His anger or is it simply a reflection of our own doings? Scripture offers a clear explanation. Here are four ways we provoke the wrath of God.
1. Suppressed the Truth
When we dive into scripture, we see a stark observation: humanity has tried to suppress the very truth about God. The universe and its beauty, the mountains and their magnificence, the oceans and their depths, they all shout of a Creator. Paul tells us that creation itself is a testament to God’s majesty.
Yet, in our quest to be masters of our own destinies, we sometimes deny His very existence. Consider the words of Dr. George Wald, a Nobel laureate from Harvard. He remarks that the origin of life points to only two possibilities: spontaneous generation leading to evolution or a supernatural creative act of God. The profundity of his statement lies in his confession that while he recognizes the impossibility of the first, he would rather believe in it because he does not want to believe in God. Sometimes, we do not outright deny God. Instead, we mold Him to fit our narratives and wants, conveniently forgetting His gloriousness and reducing Him to something trivial.
2. Chased After the Created and Not the Creator
When you suppress the ultimate truth, it is easy to get lost. Humanity, at times, has chased after the gifts and not the Giver. God bestows upon us countless blessings — from relationships to physical blessings. However, how often do we take these gifts, cherish them, but forget the One who granted them? We have often replaced the eternal with the transient, seeking satisfaction in worldly things while ignoring the eternal fountain that is God.
3. Exchanged the Truth for a Lie
The lie, as old as humanity itself, is this: “My way is better.” Since the dawn of time, mankind has sought to replace God’s ways with their own, thinking that their path is superior. It is the same lie whispered in Eden, leading to humanity’s first act of disobedience. We want control. We want the throne. But in doing so, we commit the gravest of errors, thinking we know better than the One who designed the cosmos.
4. Refused to Acknowledge the Need for God
Every gift, every talent, every joy we experience is a testament to God’s graciousness. From our physical abilities to our mental sharpness, they all point back to a Creator who designed us with care and purpose. But how often do we pause to give thanks? How often do we acknowledge that without Him, we are nothing? Instead, we sometimes use these very gifts to glorify ourselves, not the One who granted them.
When we ask why God’s wrath is revealed, we must turn the mirror to ourselves. Our actions, our choices, our denials — they have incited a response from a just and loving God. In our pursuit of self-glory, we have often forgotten the One who deserves all glory. And in doing so, we have brought upon ourselves not just His wrath but also the need for His mercy and grace.
God Gave Them Up to it
When we think about God’s wrath, we might conjure images of earthquakes, floods, or fire and brimstone. But this is not the wrath Paul is talking about here. Rather, he reveals something so profound that it might just change your perspective on God’s discipline. In verses 24, 26, and 28, Paul echoes a consistent theme: when we rebel against God, He ‘gives us up’ to our desires. What does this mean? Instead of striking us down with lighting or other grand gestures, He allows us to follow our own ways, our own false gods. God, in His divine wisdom and righteousness, lets us chase after those things that we erroneously think will fill our voids, only for us to realize they leave us emptier than before.
For anyone sitting there feeling distant from God or deeply rooted in rebellion against Him, Paul’s words are a warning. This feeling of distance, of being given over to our own desires, is God’s wrath manifesting. It is not just an impending doom but a present reality. Remember Judges chapter two? God handed His people over to their enemies when they turned away from Him. This same concept is mirrored here. As a result, our worship becomes distorted, and our relationships fray and tear. The consequences of this divine handing over manifest in societal issues, ranging from sexual immorality to economic disorder and family breakdowns. It is a domino effect of disorder and chaos.
Find Hope in Jesus
If you have not experienced the redemptive power of Jesus, you may be feeling a weight. If you are not under the grace of Christ, this passage is describing you. The wrath of God, which you have incited through your rebellion, is not something to be taken lightly. If you truly grasped its magnitude, fear and trembling would be your portion.
However, there is a flip side to this coin. Knowing Christ changes everything. For believers, while the reality of God’s wrath is accepted, there is also the overwhelming joy of knowing what we have been saved from. Romans 8:32 paints this beautiful image of God’s sacrifice, where He did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us. If you have ever wondered about the depths of God’s love, this is it. The beauty of the gospel is that, in Christ, everything described in Romans 1:18-32 is reversed. The slate is wiped clean.
When we truly comprehend the gravity of our sins and the redemption through Christ, worship becomes an uncontrollable outpouring. As believers, understanding the depths of our sins and the heights of God’s love, our worship should be louder and more passionate. But remember, this is not where the story ends. As we journey further through Romans, we will continue to dive into these deep truths. Until then, believers rejoice and worship, and if you are yet to know Jesus, consider this your divine wake-up call.
