Well did you do it? Did you read through Romans Chapter 1 looking for the answer as to how God’s wrath is being revealed? If not, don’t be afraid of self-destructing within 10 seconds. It will take longer than that. The manual will always be there for you to come back to. That is because you have it in your language. Think of those who don’t. Dare I ask if you bothered to read the whole segment of Paul’s thought from Rom 1:18 to Chapter 3:26? If you connect up all of that, you have done well.
Did you find the answer as to how God’s wrath is being revealed?
For this reason, God gave them over to impurity to follow the lusts of their hearts and to dishonour their bodies with one another.
Romans 1:24
For this reason, God gave them over to degrading passions. Even their females exchanged their natural sexual function for one that is unnatural.
Romans 1:26
Furthermore, because they did not think it worthwhile to retain the full knowledge of God, God gave them over to degraded minds to perform acts that should not be done.
Romans 1:28
Notice three times Paul writes God gave them over . . . In that action God’s wrath is revealed now.
Παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi)
To give over, give up, permit, release
- 1) to give into the hands (of another)
- 2) to give over into (one’s) power or use
- 2a) to deliver to one something to keep, use, take care of, manage
- 2b) to deliver up one to custody, to be judged, condemned, punished, scourged, tormented, put to death
- 2c) to deliver up treacherously
- 2c1) by betrayal to cause one to be taken
- 2c2) to deliver one to be taught, moulded
- 3) to commit, to commend
- 4) to deliver verbally
- 4a) commands, rites
- 4b) to deliver by narrating, to report
- 5) to permit allow
- 5a) when the fruit will allow that is when its ripeness permits
- 5b) gives itself up, presents itself
to surrender, that is, yield up, intrust, transmit: – betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend.
to hand over, to give or deliver over, to betray: – betray (17), betrayed (10), betraying (9), betrays (3), commended (1), committed (3), deliver (6), delivered (21), delivered over (1), delivering (3), entrusted (3), entrusting (1), gave (4), gave…over (3), given…over (1), hand (6), handed (9), handed…over (1), handed down (4), handed over (4), hands (1), permits (1), put (1), putting (1), risked (1), surrender (1), taken into custody (2), turn…over (1).
God gave them over. give them up, delivered them into the hands of another (Satan), to deliver them up one to be judged, condemned, punished by their own actions.
When God allows or permits the natural consequences of their actions. When God comes to the point of saying “That’s it! I have had enough. I will no longer strive with you. You can go and do what you want to do and suffer the results accordingly.” That is a scary moment. It is like a parent who is exasperated with a child’s rebellion and says “Ok you do what you want to do. I am taking my hands off.” But when God takes his hands off there are dire consequences. When God himself takes the brakes off what remains is only the slippery slope of sin. Paul will go on and tell us what happens then. In that moment it is like judgement has come already. We are sealed in our sin and only judgement is left for us. That is why judgement has a “now” component and a “then” component as well. The moment of consummation later.
The good news of God’s anger. You don’t understand God’s love until you understand His anger. The wonder of the good news is set against the bad news. What would your reaction be to someone jumping on the bonnet of your car? You would react. If you can stand by and see something good that concerns you spoiled then something is wrong with you. It’s God’s world—so He has a reaction. Either we can keep wrath in & hurt ourselves…or let it out and hurt others.
How do you know when God is angry? Chapter 1 tells you how!
The Gospel does two things: It comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.
David Pawson
The truth that sets us free will make us feel bad before it makes us feel good.
Anon
God’s goal is not our comfort; it’s producing in us the character of Christ so the world will be drawn to Him.
Anon