Thursday, September 2, 2010

Wrath

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 KJV)

Many preach of Christ’s anger, battling against evils of this world. I read of this anger in Matthew 12:34, directed toward those who were designated - and failed - to lead the Children of Israel within God’s path.

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (Matthew 12:34 KJV)

How did He speak to sinners?

The cripple at Bethesda: Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. (John 5:14 KJV)

The woman taken in adultery: She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:11 KJV)

Zacchaeus, chief of publicans: And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. (Luke 19:5 KJV)

Samaritan woman at the well: The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (John 4:25-26 KJV)

The word wrath is found five times in the Gospels: three times in relation to Pharisees; once when speaking of the last days; and once by John the Baptist, in the third chapter of John, very similar to Christ’s discourse with Nicodemus:

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. (John 3:36 KJV)

There are 40 more verses in the remainder of the New Testament, some referring to the wrath of God, others against mankind’s use of wrath. Paul speaks of wrath often, including:

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV)

We are told to pray without wrath:

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1 Timothy 2:8 KJV)

James agrees:

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20 KJV)

There are 104 verses with the word peace. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you (John 14:27a KJV)

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