How does understanding God's wrath influence our daily Christian walk? Zooming in on Colossians 3:6 “Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.” • “These” points back to the list in vv. 5 – sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed. • “Is coming” is present tense—God’s wrath is not theoretical; it is active and certain. • “Sons of disobedience” describes those whose lives are habitually opposed to God’s rule. What Scripture Reveals about God’s Wrath • Romans 1:18 — “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness.” • Ephesians 5:6 — “Because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience.” • Nahum 1:2 — “The LORD is avenging and wrathful… the LORD takes vengeance on His foes.” • Revelation 19:15 — Christ “treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God.” Key takeaway: God’s wrath is His settled, righteous response to sin, not an uncontrolled outburst. Why Believers Must Pay Attention • God’s character does not change (Malachi 3:6); His wrath remains as real as His love. • Grace does not cancel holiness; it magnifies it (Romans 6:1-2). • Understanding wrath keeps us from casual attitudes toward sin (1 Peter 1:17). Daily Impact: Walking in the Light of Holy Wrath Healthy fear of God • Proverbs 9:10 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” • Awareness of wrath breeds reverence, anchoring us against spiritual complacency. Fuel for personal holiness • Colossians 3:5 tells us to “put to death” sinful practices. • Seeing what sin deserves motivates decisive, ongoing repentance. Deepened gratitude for the cross • 1 Thessalonians 1:10 — Jesus “rescues us from the coming wrath.” • Remembering the wrath Christ absorbed stirs heartfelt worship and thankfulness. Urgency in witness • 2 Corinthians 5:11 — “Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade men.” • Love compels us to warn others of real judgment and point them to real salvation. Cultivated compassion and patience • Titus 3:3-5 — We too were “foolish, disobedient… but He saved us.” • Knowing what we deserved fosters humility and mercy toward struggling believers and unbelievers alike. Companion Passages to Meditate On • Hebrews 10:26-31 — The terrifying prospect of rejecting grace. • Psalm 2 — Nations warned to “kiss the Son” lest His wrath flare up. • John 3:36 — “Whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” • Romans 12:19 — Leave vengeance to God; His wrath frees us from personal retaliation. Practical Next Steps • Examine: Set aside time this week to read Colossians 3:1-10, listing behaviors God targets. • Confess: Bring any tolerated sin into the light, agreeing with God about its seriousness. • Replace: Actively “put on” the virtues in Colossians 3:12-17—compassion, kindness, humility. • Remember: Keep the cross central; let daily gratitude guard your heart from legalism. • Engage: Share the gospel with one person, motivated by both love and the reality of coming wrath. Understanding God’s wrath shapes us into sober, joyful, mission-minded followers who prize holiness and cling to grace. |
    |