Knowing God: Experience & Love Him

The Wrath of God

Common Misunderstandings of God's Patience

Paul J. Bucknell

Introduction & video on God's wrath | Definition & description wrath | Wrath & mercy | Anger against unbelievers | God's great patience | Common misunderstandings | Reflections on God's wrath | Anger against believers | God's anger is different for His people | Summary and Study questions
Handout | Video | mp3

Knowing God Series Index

Series Introduction| Knowing God | The Revelatory God | Goodness of God | Holiness of God | Power of God | Omnipresent God | Exalted God | Faithfuness of God | Wisdom of God | Mercy of God |Wrath of God | Love of God | Sovereignty of God | Providence of God

Purpose: God is patient toward sinners by withholding His judgment. Sinners commonly misunderstand God's patience at their peril. Here are three serious misunderstandings of God's patience.

Common misunderstandings of God's patience

Here are three dangerous misunderstandings.

1) Some believe God overlooks our sins with His love

Some believe that God, in His great love, will overlook our sin. This view completely distorts God's love and mercy and casts a sense of foolishness about Christ's death.

God's love is not one can ignore His righteousness. He never overlooks sin but fully satisfies His vengeance and so pardon or forgiveness in Christ Jesus is sought.

2) Others believe God is weak

Others believe that God has a problem executing judgment. Perhaps, the Lord is weak, uninvolved or impotent. They have seen horrendous crimes. Their souls scream for judgment but do not see it.

This anger and impotence was seen in David when his daughter was violated but took no action. "Now when King David heard of all these matters, he was very angry. But Absalom did not speak to Amnon either good or bad; for Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar" (2 Samuel 13:21-22). This became the root of Absalom's rebellion.

3) Yet others do not get God's important hints

Tragedies and ‘mini' judgments coming upon earth's people are not simple rumblings of ‘mother earth.' They are a warning, for those of us who are spared and granted more time to repent. The coming judgment is soon here where no one will be spared.

These warnings, some great while others are small and hardly seen, are all meant to hurry us to turn to Christ for refuge from our sins.

These ‘mini' judgments are a type of the great coming end judgment, known as the Day of the Lord. They are to be heeded.

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10).

Next page => Other Reflections on God's Wrath

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