Bible Text :- Romans 1:18-28, Zephaniah 1:14-18
“ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” [ Romans 1:18-28 ]
The wrath of God as in the text above is an expression of His righteousness and holiness. It is God’s personal anger and unchallenging response to all sin, provoked by the wicked behaviour of individuals and nations and by the unfaithfulness of God’s people. In the past, God’s anger towards sin was revealed in the flood, famine, plague, scattering and burning of the land. In the present, His anger is seen in His giving the wicked over to uncleanness and vile passions as in verse 24 of our text.
In the future the wrath of God will include great distress for the ungodly and a coming day of judgement for all people. However, God is love. Hallelujah! His wrath is not His final Word to humans. He has provided a way of escape in Jesus Christ.
“The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.” [ Zephaniah 1:14-18 ]
The great day of the Lord was near. The Babylonians would soon come and destroy Jerusalem. It is as if our text here refers this present day and time. And really, the day of the Lord is near to us now! God promises a final judgment . To spread, a recognise that you have sinned and that your sin will bring judgment and, that you cannot save yourself but God alone can save you through Jesus Christ the begotten of the Father. Those in Christ are shielded from the wrath of God. Are you in Christ? A person may repent of sin and turn in faith to Jesus. His name is a strong tower, the righteous runs into it and he is safe. Turn to Jesus now. His blood avails much.
