Today is my birthday! I had the most glorious time walking around the streets of Vancouver West Side looking at flowers in full bloom and the perfect spring air filling my lungs! What a perfect birthday gift! Here I am sitting outside a Starbucks enjoying a grande latte and writing my blog a day earlier because tomorrow will be a busy day at the conference. I was listening to the scripture read to me via my phone while I was walking. A recurrent theme both from the Old Testament reading and the New Testament reading was about God's way of punishing people. It brought to my attention something I heard from the sermon this past Sunday. The sermon continued on the theme of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), focusing this time on the two aspects of the life of a Christian who has the indwelling Spirit: peace and patience. Concerning peace - someone asked at the end of the sermon whether Jesus' driving out the traders at the temple (John 2:13-17, Luke 19:45-46, Mark:11:15-17, Matthews 21:12-13) demonstrated that there was such thing as "righteous anger". The pastor gave this reply which I summarize here: "Love is a bigger motivator for justice. Anger is on the sin list (Galatians 5:19-21) but not on the fruit list (Galatians 5:22-23). The example of Jesus clearing the temple was to demonstrate the wrath of God."
So the wrath of God and righteous anger was on my mind this whole week. The story I read this morning concerned the Lord's judgement on King Ahaziah in 2 Kings 1. It can be seen as a picture of God's righteous judgement on a King who despite a long history of God's redemption of the people of Israel, looked to an idol god (Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron) for direction and support. The New Testament passage concerning the wrath of God came from John 3:31-36:
"The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them."
"The one who comes from above" referred to Jesus. Here John the Baptist was telling his disciples that God's redemptive plan was finally fulfilled in the person of Jesus, who was from God and spoke the words of God. As wonderful as God's great promise of John 3:16 (For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.) there is also judgement awaiting for those who would reject Him. The wrath of God is the natural end for those whose sin (the acts of the flesh - Galatians 5:19-21) would prevent them to inherit the kingdom of God. But praise be to God, for He promised: "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." (Galatians 5:24-26)
There is no room for pride. Salvation comes from God and by His Spirit we live in peace with all men and are patient (long-suffering) to wait for the final redemption when God will be the judge.
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:9-21)
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