God—Guide Six Phil Benedict

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

United Indian Mission

Greeley, Colorado

These guides are designed to help you to study, to learn, to understand, and to live what God teaches us in his Word, the Bible. God gave us the Bible to teach us how to know and to walk with Him. We can enjoy God’s blessings forever, rather than experiencing his judgement. His Word is eternally true. Take time to carefully read and think about the Scriptures used in this guide. Meditate on them and the truths they teach. Learn to love God and his Word. Regularly ask God for a right understanding of Scriptural truths and then make them part of you. Absorb them. If you go over the material too quickly without much thought, it will have little or no lasting impact on your life. Commit yourself to making Biblical truths the foundation of your life and to putting them into practice every day of your life.

The better we know and understand God, the deeper our walk with Him becomes. The purpose of this lesson is to deepen our understanding of God and our walk with God. God created us to live in conformity with the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. He wants our fellowship and He wants us to honor Him. When we understand how intensely God hates and is angry with sin, then with God’s strength, we too should hate sin and commit ourselves to living a lifestyle that reflects the Lord Jesus Christ rather than a lifestyle of sin.

Scripture clearly teaches that God is a God of wrath and judgement who punishes sin. The wrath of God is not a minor topic in Scripture. In one way or another the anger or the wrath of God is spoken of over 450 times. However, many ignore or deny this important part of God’s character. They perceive God in a way that fits their own human way of thinking. Their ideas and their teaching may be popular and please people, but they will produce little genuine eternal spiritual fruit.

God’s anger is a topic that is not often taught or preached in modern American "religious" circles. In our "positive" orientation to "spirituality", we would much rather talk about God’s love than his anger. It is popular to talk about spiritual blessings, but crass to talk about our sin nature and judgement. Many either deny or simply ignore God’s intense anger at sin. Many, view his anger and judgement of sin almost as a blemish on his otherwise perfect benevolent nature. However, we simply cannot ignore or deny God’s anger and judgement of sin and expect to be conformed to his image, to produce genuine spiritual fruit, or to have genuine fellowship with Him.

Are you committed to being like the Lord Jesus Christ?

Are you angry with sin and its effect on people’s lives?

In our next study we will see that God is a God of love. Many feel that a God of love cannot be a God of wrath. Often it has been stated or implied that the Old Testament God is a God of anger while the New Testament God is a God of love. This is simply not the case. God’s deep love is expressed in both the Old and New Testaments and his intense anger is evident in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, God is angered at the sinful and rebellious actions of people. In the New Testament, He is angry at those who reject the gift of his Son.

It is important to know and appreciate both the love and the anger of God. To focus on either one of them to the exclusion of the other will lead to a wrong understanding of God. Jesus himself taught and demonstrated both. The apostle Paul and the other New Testament writers taught both. The Old Testament prophets taught both. The Bible teaches both, and so should we.

We will never fully appreciate our salvation and God’s love, his grace, and his mercy until we understand how abhorrent sin is to God and that we have been saved from being judged by a very angry God.

Is your concept of God one of a loving God or an angry God?

Can God be both loving and angry?

As we saw in the last study guide, God is holy; He is righteous; and He is just. There is not the slightest tint of evil in his character. Because God is absolutely pure and holy, sin is abhorrent to Him. God is intensely angry at sin because God is absolutely holy.

Many times in Scripture a statement such as "God loves righteousness and hates wickedness" is made.

As we have stated, in the Old Testament God is angered at the rebellious actions of people. This is especially true of his chosen people, the Jewish nation of Israel; however, He is also often angry with the wickedness of Gentile people.

Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him. Nahum 1:2-3,6

From this passage in Nahum, list at least five truths about God’s anger.

Is God’s anger simply a passing little irritation or annoyance?

God’s anger, judgement, and punishment of sin are spoken of many times in the Old Testament. Following are a few of those times.

Carefully read Numbers 32:10-13.

Why was God angry?

Who was He angry with?

What was the result of his anger?

Describe God’s anger from verse 13?

Read 1 Kings 21:17-24.

Who was God angry with?

Why was He angry?

What were the results of his anger?

Read Jeremiah 21:11-12.

Read these verses carefully. Describe the intensity of God’s anger.

Now take some time and read Exodus 3 and Exodus 4:1-18. You will need to read this portion of Scripture more than once to understand it well.

In these chapters, what did God call Moses to do?

In Exodus 3:11, how does Moses respond?

How does God reply to Moses?

In Exodus 3:13, what does Moses do?

In Exodus 4:1, what does Moses do?

In Exodus 4:10, what objection does Moses give this time?

How does God respond?

In Exodus 4:13, what does Moses say?

Throughout this whole section of Scripture, Moses argues with God. His statement in

Exodus 4:13 shows that he is rejecting God’s call to service and he flat out refuses to put any faith in what God promises to do.

How does God respond to this rejection in Exodus 4:14?

Apparently Moses got the message after he saw God’s anger. However, because of Moses’ repeated resistance, God sent Aaron to "help" Moses. Later we see that Moses would have been better off without Aaron. It would have been better if Moses had obeyed to start with rather than rebelling and winding up with a "helper" like Aaron.

As a righteousness judge, God can not simply overlook the fact that we are sinners. He can not simply "sweep our sin under the carpet" and just pretend it isn’t there. Because He is holy, righteous, and just, and because sin is so abhorrent to Him, in accordance with his own righteous law, He pronounced the penalty of eternal death on all who sinned. However, because He loved us so much, He gave his own life through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, so that we can escape the terrible consequences of sin.

It cost God the life of his own Son to provide a way of salvation for us. Few of us as human parents would deliberately give the life of one of our own children to benefit another person; yet God who loved his Son with a pure deep perfect supernatural love gave his Son’s life so we could again fellowship with Him and be saved from eternal judgement in hell. When people

reject God’s offer of salvation which cost God the life of his Son, then God becomes very angry and those who reject the Son become the objects of God’s wrath.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him. John 3:36

Does the word "wrath" indicate a little bit of anger or a much more intense anger?

How would you define the word "wrath"?

Does the word "remain" indicate a passing annoyance or a long lasting anger?

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. Romans 2:5-8

In these verses what is it that brings about the wrath of God?

What does repent mean?

What is the result of rejecting the truth?

Notice these verses refer to "storing up wrath". This is an anger that is an ongoing continuous state of mind. It is not a quick flare up of anger but a settled state of mind that will eventually result in the sinner’s condemnation and eternal judgement and punishment.

God’s anger is directed at both the sin and the sinner. It has often been said that "God hates sin but He loves the sinner". This statement is only partially true. John 3:16 certainly indicates that God loves the world of sinful people; however, as sinners reject Him, the Scriptures are clear that they become the direct objects of God’s wrath.

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. Ephesians 2:3

From this verse, who are the objects of God’s wrath?

Read Romans 1:18 very carefully. What causes the wrath of God?

Read Romans 2:5. What brings God’s wrath on people?

In Romans 2:8, what is in store for those who reject the truth and follow evil?

Read John 3:36. What is the result of not accepting God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ?

In Ephesians 2:3, how is our way of life without God described?

What is the result of this way of life?

Read Ephesians 5:5-6. What brings on the wrath of God?

Now take some time and think about what has been covered in this guide about the anger and the wrath of God.

What have you learned?

Is God’s anger a blemish on his character? Why?

Is hating sin and being angry with sin a good or a bad thing?

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people."It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:26-31

From these verses what can someone who knows the truth but rejects it expect from God?

How does God view someone who has "trampled the Son of God under foot"?

How would you explain the phrase, "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God"?

God’s anger at sin often results in judgement. God put a curse on mankind and the earth as a result of Adam and Eve’s sin. Later, because of sin, God destroyed the entire human race except for Noah and his family. He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of their sin. He kept some one to two million Israelites out of the promised land and let them die in the wilderness because of their sin. The northern kingdom was destroyed by Assyria because of sin. The southern kingdom was exiled into Babylon for seventy years because of sin. King David was judged because of his sin. Ahab and Jezebel were judged because of their sin. Numerous other individuals were judged because of sin. Satan and his hosts will face a final judgement and will be eternally cast into hell because of their rebellion against God.

In the future, there will be seven years of horrible judgement on Israel and the entire world for their rejection of God. The final judgement of sin will be an eternal hell for all who refuse to put their faith in God.

"This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power." 2 Thessalonians 1:7b-9

"If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God." Hebrews 10:26-27

God’s hatred and anger at sin is so severe that it cost Him the life of his own Son to make a way for us to escape the horrible consequences of sin.

Sin is serious. The world makes light of sin and flaunts it in public. They enjoy it. However, we as Christians, must never have a light or flippant attitude towards sin. It cost the life of our Lord Jesus Christ, and it will result in eternal hell for those who reject Him.

What is the final judgement of those who reject God’s offer of salvation?

Is this a motivation to accept the Lord Jesus Christ?

Is it a motivation to tell the good news of salvation to those who do not know God?

The Christian and God’s Anger

So far we have looked at some very serious and sobering truths. Now there is very good news for the genuine child of God.

There is no Scripture teaching that God will vent his anger on anyone who has put his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior from the penalty of sin. We, as his adopted children, do not have to be afraid of God. Our sin has already been judged—on the cross. God will never condemn one of his own children in judgement to hell. We have made the transition from death to life. (John 5:24) What a truth!!!

What God does do is to discipline his children. However, God’s discipline is a result of his love, not his anger. That discipline may be severe, but it is always an expression of his love. He wants the very best for us, and He is always working to bring about greater faith and maturity in our life, and sometimes that is accomplished through disciplining us.

There is no question that Christians can rebel for a time and begin developing a pattern of sin. See 1 Corinthians 3:1-4. This invites God’s discipline in our lives.

Read Revelation 3:19.

What does God do to those He loves?

What should our response to God’s discipline be?

Carefully read Hebrews 12:4-11.

In verse 6, what does God do for those He loves?

In verse 10, what is the result of discipline?

What is holiness?

In verse 11, what does discipline produce?

Discipline is not simply punishment. Hardships that God allows to bring about growth in our life is also defined as discipline. All of us will experience hard times, but a Christian does not have to experience severe discipline or "punishment" by God. If we are committed to growing in our walk with God, and to obedience, we can enjoy his blessing rather than his discipline.

Do you want to have a productive, fulfilling walk with God?

Are you committed to becoming a more mature child of God?

Are you putting effort into your commitment to grow?

Is there something in your life that may bring God’s discipline?

We know that God is extremely angry at sin, and we know that God will judge and punish sinners. We also know that his own children are objects of his love, not his wrath. How should knowing this affect the way we as Christians live? Following are some Biblical principles for us to seriously consider.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

As children of God, we will not experience God’s wrath. Instead we are recipients of his love, his grace, and his mercy. This should bring joy to our hearts. We need to be thankful and to give Him our praise, our worship, our love, and our faithful service. Romans 6:17, Romans 7:25,

I Corinthians 15:57, Ephesians 1:3-15

Sometimes Christians who have known the Lord for a longer period of time get in a "rut" and lose the freshness of their walk with God.

Is your walk with God getting stale?

Do you regularly thank and praise God for his gift of salvation?

Let them praise your great and awesome name -- He is holy. Psalm 99:3

God’s holiness and his fierce anger at sin should bring us to have an awe of God. That righteous anger surpasses any human anger. We should have a healthy fear and respect for God that drives us to serve and to worship Him–not out of a fearful fear, but out of respect and awe. It is very true that God is our friend and our loving father, but that does not mean that we should have a casual attitude toward God. Romans 7:25, Romans 12:1, Hebrews12:28-29,

Revelation 5:11-14

Do you have a deep respect and awe of God?

Have you let your attitude toward God become shallow or casual?

How can we keep a proper view and attitude about God?

How can we encourage others to develop and keep a right perspective of God?

1 Peter 1:13-16

Knowing how God hates and is angry with sin should motivate, even drive, us to live holy lives.

God expects us to be like Him. God hates sin and loves righteousness. So should we. God is angry with sin. We should be too. Rather than treating sin lightly or flippantly, we should hate it. Rather than enjoying it on television or in our music, we should be abhorred by it. We should make it a high priority to avoid even the appearance of evil in our life and live Godly lives.

Romans 12:9, Hebrews 1:9, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Are you angry with sin and what it is doing to people around you?

Has your attitude toward sin become casual or uncaring?

Have you committed yourself to growing more like God and living more and more separate from sin?

Does what you watch on television reflect your anger at sin or do you enjoy watching programs that flaunt sin that is abhorrent to God?

What attitude toward sin are you giving to those around you?

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

Unsaved people are facing the anger and wrath of God for an eternity. God has given us the responsibility to let them know how they can escape this terrible future. God has given us the "ministry of reconciliation" or the responsibility to tell people how they can be reconciled to God. Through our concern and willingness to tell the good news, God offers them love and forgiveness. Again, that should drive us to tell the good news to any to whom God opens the door for us. We don’t have to be a polished talker or a theologian to be effective. The simple plan of salvation has the power of God behind it. Most of us are fearful and reluctant to tell others about the plan of salvation, but we need to realize that that fear is from Satan, not God.

Living in regular submission to God’s Word gives us strength and victory over fear and Satan.

2 Corinthians 5:11-21, Jude 1:22, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8

Do you tell others how they can be saved from the penalty of their sin?

What is keeping you from "witnessing" to unsaved people?

Do we have to be a polished talker to be used by God?

Do we have to be talented to be used by God?

Is the plan of salvation complicated?

How can you overcome your fear or reluctance to tell unsaved people how to be saved?

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. Romans 12:19

God’s anger is always just, and He will always avenge sin in a just way. As humans, we too can have a just anger; however, the vast majority of human anger is sinful and based in a desire for revenge. When we honestly look at our own sinful human anger, we have to admit that the only reason for hanging on to that anger is the desire for revenge. When we are angry with other people, thus desiring revenge, we are in reality unwilling to let God do his work in his own way. We don’t trust God and we want to do his work for Him.

When we are angry with another person, God instructs us to forgive. Forgiveness is choosing not to hold a grudge or want revenge. Forgiveness is not so hard if we will simply take God at his word and let Him handle the revenge. Forgiveness is a mental choice that we make. It is not based on our feelings, but on our trust in God. You make the mental choice to forgive, even though you don’t feel like it. After the choice is made, our feeling will start coming into line with our choice to forgive. This frees us from unhealthy human anger and give us a tremendous freedom to serve God. Refusing to forgive and hanging on to the desire for revenge will only inhibit the work of God in our lives and make us very unhappy people. Romans 12:17-21, Romans 2:1-4, Matthew 6:14-15, Luke 17:1-10, Ephesians 4:25-32, Hebrews 12:30

Are you hanging on to anger at someone?

Can you honestly take a good look at your own heart and say you are not holding on to anger at someone in your past?

If there is some anger in your heart, does God know what happened that is causing your anger?

Will God repay for the wrong done?

What is keeping you from forgiving the person?

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October, 2001