The Wrath of God - How is it love?

[St. SteVen]

We have often heard about these two aspects of God's character, His love and His wrath.

The concept is acceptable to many, citing biblical sources to confirm.
But to others it is troubling, noting that the character of God does not allow for such a contradiction.

Since God is love, His wrath also needs to be a manifestation of love.
But that's not the description given by many. They describe an anger driven rage, which is obviously not love.

How do we resolve this contradiction?

The Wrath of God - How is it love?

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[LittleTuneAlright]

Perhaps it's a consequence of sin?....He gives us free will.... Like If you steal, lie and cheat your way through life, then you reap the consequences. People don't like those kinds of things. And if you don't repent and change, He will give you over to your sinful desires, and He will not let you know when your going wrong and sear your conscience?

I am not actually sure so I am just hazarding a guess...

 

[bdavidc]

Here’s a simple explanation of how God’s wrath and love work together, straight from the Bible: God’s wrath is His anger at sin, not at us as people. Sin is anything that goes against His goodness, like lying or hating, and the Bible says in Romans 1:18, “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.” He’s angry because He’s perfect and holy, and sin ruins His good creation. But even though God hates sin, He loves us deeply. 1 John 4:8 tells us, “God is love.” He doesn’t want us stuck in sin or facing His anger forever, so He sent Jesus to take our punishment. John 3:16 puts it best: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus took God’s wrath on the cross so we wouldn’t have to. It’s like a parent getting mad when their kid plays with matches, not out of hate but out of love, to keep them safe. God’s wrath is about the danger of sin, which pulls us away from Him, but His love steps in to save us. Romans 5:9 says, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” So, God’s wrath and love aren’t opposites, they team up. His wrath shows how serious sin is, and His love offers us a way out through Jesus. That’s how His wrath is part of His love: it points us to His rescue plan and brings us back to Him.

If you would like a more detailed explanation, click here.

 

[St. SteVen]

God’s wrath is His anger at sin, not at us as people.

I like what you are saying here.
Ultimately God wants to correct what sin is doing to us. IMHO

He’s angry because He’s perfect and holy, and sin ruins His good creation.

This is where I question things.
Why should we be blamed for not being like God?
Is it really our fault? The Fall set up His plan of redemption.
There would be no story without it.
Did God not anticipate this?

But even though God hates sin, He loves us deeply.

Agree.

He doesn’t want us stuck in sin or facing His anger forever, so He sent Jesus to take our punishment.

I agree, except for the forever part.
Endless torment is pointless. It does not resolve the sin problem.

Jesus took God’s wrath on the cross so we wouldn’t have to.

I view it as Jesus paying our death penalty for sin.
God the Father did not direct His wrath at His only-begotten. IMHO

God’s wrath is about the danger of sin, which pulls us away from Him, but His love steps in to save us.

Agree.

So, God’s wrath and love aren’t opposites, they team up. His wrath shows how serious sin is, and His love offers us a way out through Jesus.

I see "wrath", as typically defined, to be opposite.

That’s how His wrath is part of His love: it points us to His rescue plan and brings us back to Him.

I agree for the most part.

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[St. SteVen]

I am not actually sure so I am just hazarding a guess...

Looks to me like you did pretty well. Thanks.

Perhaps it's a consequence of sin?....He gives us free will.... Like If you steal, lie and cheat your way through life, then you reap the consequences. People don't like those kinds of things. And if you don't repent and change, He will give you over to your sinful desires, and He will not let you know when your going wrong and sear your conscience?

Many good points here.
- consequences of sin
- repentance
- being given over to your sinful desires
- a seared conscience

Reminds me of the Prodigal.
What was the outcome in that situation?
Was the Prodigal met with the father's wrath? (as the church defines it)

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[Ronald Nolette]

We have often heard about these two aspects of God's character, His love and His wrath.

The concept is acceptable to many, citing biblical sources to confirm.
But to others it is troubling, noting that the character of God does not allow for such a contradiction.

Since God is love, His wrath also needs to be a manifestation of love.
But that's not the description given by many. They describe an anger driven rage, which is obviously not love.

How do we resolve this contradiction?

The Wrath of God - How is it love?

[

It is not love but wrath!

there is no contradiction.

God is love. But God is also fearsome in holiness. He is also perfectl;y just. God poured all His love for man into Jesus. I foe wishes to experience the love of God, they must come to Christ in faith, then that love is poured out to them without measure.

 

[LittleTuneAlright]

What was the outcome in that situation?

He returned to his father and his father was overjoyed and compassionate and gave him more.

It's a wonderful story as like how God the Father treats us when we stray and get lost.

 

[Windmill Charge]

The Wrath of God - How is it love?

Is it loving to always indulge someone, to never say no, to always give in to demand tantrums etc.
There are two aspects to love.
1/ is what we identify as loving behaviour.
2/ is the carrying out of discipline.

 

[Lambano]

If we humans who are made in the image of God are complicated, why would we think God is less complicated than ourselves?

 

[St. SteVen]

If we humans who are made in the image of God are complicated, why would we think God is less complicated than ourselves?

From that view, how do you see the wrath of God?

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[Cyd]

We have often heard about these two aspects of God's character, His love and His wrath.

The concept is acceptable to many, citing biblical sources to confirm.
But to others it is troubling, noting that the character of God does not allow for such a contradiction.

Since God is love, His wrath also needs to be a manifestation of love.
But that's not the description given by many. They describe an anger driven rage, which is obviously not love.

How do we resolve this contradiction?

The Wrath of God - How is it love?

[

Please give me some scripture that says God is love? Wrath is for enemies of God that I saw.

 

[Lambano]

From that view, how do you see the wrath of God?

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There's a few folks I'd like to invoke it on.

 

[Lambano]

From that view, how do you see the wrath of God?

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I don't want to be there when it happens.

 

[Lambano]

It just is.

 

[St. SteVen]

Please give me some scripture that says God is love? Wrath is for enemies of God that I saw.

Sure.

1 John 4:8 NIV
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:16 NIV
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

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[St. SteVen]

I don't want to be there when it happens.
It just is.

It will probably be unpleasant for the one receiving it.
And also for those that witness it.

Every nation, leader and individual will stand in judgement. (evaluation)
There will be rewards, correction, restoration and redemption. IMHO

The ultimate triumph of grace.

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[St. SteVen]

It's a wonderful story as like how God the Father treats us when we stray and get lost.

Also reminds me of the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one and carry them home.

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[Cyd]

Sure.

1 John 4:8 NIV
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:16 NIV
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

[

Thanks

 

[bdavidc]

This is where I question things.
Why should we be blamed for not being like God?
Is it really our fault? The Fall set up His plan of redemption.
There would be no story without it.
Did God not anticipate this?

Your questions challenge God's justice, but the Bible gives us clear answers. God is absolutely holy, perfectly just, and all-knowing. He did not create sin, but He allowed the Fall to demonstrate both His righteousness in judgment and His mercy in salvation. Romans 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” We are not blamed for not being like God, we are held accountable because we willfully choose sin. Ecclesiastes 7:29 makes it clear: “God hath made man upright, but they have sought out many inventions.” The Fall didn’t catch God by surprise. He is sovereign, and His redemptive plan through Christ was established before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, 1 Peter 1:20).

God’s wrath is not a flaw in His character, it is a righteous and necessary response to sin. And it works in perfect harmony with His love. Romans 5:8 shows us both sides clearly: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” You cannot understand the depth of God's love without recognizing the seriousness of His wrath. The story of redemption exists not because God failed, but because man rebelled. God didn’t owe us grace or forgiveness, yet He gave it freely through His Son. That is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10).

Do you really believe God is to blame, or are you just refusing to take responsibility for your own sin?

 

[bdavidc]

I agree, except for the forever part.
Endless torment is pointless. It does not resolve the sin problem.

It is not up to us to decide what God should or should not do. God is the Creator, we are the created. His judgments are righteous and final, whether we understand them fully or not. The Bible is not vague about the reality of eternal punishment. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 25:46, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.” The same word for “everlasting” (Greek: aiōnios) is used for both punishment and life, meaning if life is forever, then so is the punishment. Revelation 14:11 says, “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever, and they have no rest day nor night.” That is not symbolic, that is a direct and horrifying truth. God does not torment for no reason; He punishes sin justly, and His holiness demands it.

Eternal punishment doesn’t mean God failed to resolve sin. On the contrary, He provided the only solution, Jesus Christ. John 3:36 says, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” The problem is not that God hasn’t made a way, it’s that people reject that way. Hebrews 10:29 warns us about those who trample underfoot the Son of God and insult the Spirit of grace. That is not a light offense, it deserves righteous judgment.
Whether we think eternal torment is “pointless” doesn’t matter. The point is not our opinion, it’s God’s Word, and He has spoken clearly.