Topical Bible: The Anger of God is Averted from Them That Believe

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The concept of God's anger being averted from those who believe is a central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing the transformative power of faith and the grace of God. This theme is woven throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the relationship between divine justice, mercy, and human faith.

Divine Anger and Justice

The Bible frequently speaks of God's anger as a response to sin and disobedience. God's holiness and justice necessitate a reaction against sin, as seen in passages like Romans 1:18 : "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness." This divine wrath is not arbitrary but is a righteous response to the moral order established by God.

Atonement and Propitiation

Central to the Christian understanding of averting God's anger is the concept of atonement through Jesus Christ. The sacrificial death of Christ is seen as the ultimate act of propitiation, satisfying the demands of justice and turning away God's wrath from sinners. Romans 3:25 states, "God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand."

Faith as the Means of Averting Wrath

Faith in Jesus Christ is the means by which individuals can avert God's anger. This faith is not merely intellectual assent but involves trust and reliance on the redemptive work of Christ. John 3:36 underscores this truth: "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him." Belief in Christ is the decisive factor that determines whether one experiences God's wrath or His grace.

The Role of Repentance

Repentance is closely linked with faith in the process of averting divine anger. Genuine repentance involves a turning away from sin and a turning toward God, acknowledging one's need for His mercy. Acts 3:19 exhorts, "Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."

The Assurance of Salvation

For those who believe, there is assurance that God's anger is averted and that they are reconciled to Him. Romans 5:9 provides comfort: "Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!" This assurance is not based on human merit but on the completed work of Christ and the believer's union with Him.

The Transformative Power of Grace

The averting of God's anger through faith leads to a transformed life. Believers are called to live in a manner worthy of the grace they have received, reflecting God's love and holiness. Ephesians 2:8-10 highlights this transformation: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life."

Conclusion

The theme of God's anger being averted from those who believe is a profound testament to the power of faith and the depth of God's mercy. Through the atoning work of Christ, believers are spared from divine wrath and are invited into a relationship of peace and reconciliation with their Creator.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 3:14-18
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 3:25
Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 5:1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"Because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God, for it is not ...
... you would find their faces turned backward and averted from God ... motion of the heart
deserves eternal misery, that anger is murder in God's sight, that ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xx because the carnal.htm

Against those who Think that what is Just is not Good.
... there is peace and rejoicing; but where it is averted, there is ... if it is proper to
call His admonition anger) is full of love to man, God condescending to ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter viii against those who think.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... God, the vicissitudes of life dependent on the will of ... of angels or of men,
[712]282; the anger of, [713 ... evils which alone the pagans feared, not averted by, [ ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

Jeremiah
... the Lord, and I will not keep anger forever ... the most thorough heart reformation could
the impending doom be averted. ... had lost his life, the ark of God had been ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 34 jeremiah.htm

Carried Captive into Babylon
... already half fulfilled, what desolation might have been averted! ... Zion was utterly
destroyed; the people of God were in ... Zion with a cloud in His anger, and cast ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 37 carried captive into.htm

Conformed to the Image of Christ
... punishment; for punishment can sometimes be averted, but there ... a "partaker of his
nature," and anger and revenge ... answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 16 conformed to the.htm

Matt. xii. 25, 26
... Wherefore your punishment can be averted by no prayers ... wounds, showing mercy, remitting
our anger against them ... thanks for all things to God, fasting according ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xli matt xii 25.htm

The Christian Training of Children.
... clinging affection, there yet arises estrangement, anger, repugnance; if ... The evil
in such cases is averted through the ... of two gifts with which God has endowed ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/viii the christian training of.htm

To those who had not Attended the Assembly.
... if he constantly retains his animosity, may suppress his anger. ... fact the very facility
for slaughter averted him from it: for he bethought him that God had put ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/to those who had not.htm

Letter ccxxviii. (AD 428 or 429. )
... we neglect or adopt measures whereby it may be averted. ... for, in difficulties of this
kind, God judges better ... We are at His disposal from whose anger none can ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter ccxxviii a d 428 or.htm