Read Romans 1:18-32.
In Romans 1, Paul diagnoses the problem with every culture and society throughout the ages: sin. He knows he cannot share the healing possible in Jesus Christ without first revealing humanity's terminal illness. We are, every one of us, desperately sin-sick and under the wrath of God (see Jeremiah 17:9).
His wrath toward sin is actually His love for us in action. And His love rescues us from the wrath we deserve.
Today more than 60% of professing Christians deny the wrath of God altogether. They say there is no wrath of God; only love. They don't understand that without the wrath of God, the love of God cannot exist; His wrath toward sin is actually His love for us in action. And His love rescues us from the wrath we deserve.
Beloved, God's wrath is not a capricious, uncontrollable fury. It is an utter hatred of all that is evil. God is just, and His justice demands a payment for our sin. Yet, out of His love, He did not spare even His own Son; He sent Jesus to die in our place, ransoming anyone who believes in Him from the just wages of sin: death (see Romans 8:32).
As Christians, we must live unashamed of God's utter holiness and justice—for if our lost loved ones are to come to Christ, they must first confess their need for His forgiveness. We must be honest about sin and point them to Christ, the only hope for the hopeless.
Do you have a lost friend or family member who needs to be convicted of their sin? Pray for them right now.
Prayer: Lord, I know Your wrath is just—sin and evil cannot go unpunished. Thank You for leading me to repentance and providing the perfect, eternal atoning sacrifice for my sin. May Your Spirit work in the lives of my family and friends, my neighbors and acquaintances, so that they might see their sin and find life in the only one who saves—Jesus Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse" (Romans 1:20).
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