Devotionals by Dr. M. Craig Barnes
The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness --
Not too many people today want to talk about the wrath of God. And the few old fundamentalists who spoke about it all the time have already used up all our patience for this topic. Trying to correct their images of an angry deity who is never satisfied, the new spirituality of today prefers to speak only about his love. But the opposite of wrath is not love. The opposite of wrath is apathy, and God is not apathetic about your life. He loves you. So his wrath is that of a lover's quarrel, who cannot stand by to watch you hurt yourself.
The story of Jesus Christ claims that God intervened. Out of love. On the cross that Savior took on all the wrath of God and all the hurt we have created for ourselves and others. Then the Son brought us home, as prodigals, to the Father who has anxiously been waiting for our return.
If you have come to receive that amazing grace, it will fill your heart with love and gratitude. But as Paul writes, to love God means to obey him. Obeying is another archaic word, I know. But that is what it really means to be spiritual.
Biblical spirituality is not some flimsy, out-of-body ecstasy. To the contrary, it invites us to see that love, joy, and even that elusive thing called fulfillment is found through following Jesus in simple obedience. And maybe getting a little angry at the ungodly hurt we cause.
-- Craig Barnes