Those who sell themselves to sinful and indulgent practices, inevitably attract the anger and therefore, judgment of God. The lifestyle of “…fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry” are the reasons “the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience” (Colossians 3:5,6). For harbouring uncleanness in their imaginations and inflaming the flesh through ungodly interactions on social media, filthy language and dressing, the unrepentant will face divine judgment. Make no mistake about it: God is no respecter of persons.
Whoever knows and preaches Christ’s doctrines, but lives secretly in sin, thereby holding the truth in unrighteousness; whoever laments and criticizes others who sin, but does not repent of his; whoever knows that the invisible and omnipresent God is aware of his secret sin, but refuses to forsake them and live to glorify Him; whoever degenerates to mutilating and changing the truth of the word of God that saves and sanctifies; whoever seeks healing and deliverance, but rejects God’s righteousness or refuses to abide in the spiritual knowledge and experiences previously obtained; and whoever instigates, inspires and sponsors rioters, looters, corrupters, kidnappers, etc. will face divine judgment. Sinners and professing believers, who hinder others from being saved, people who are enraged by godliness and the gospel, and the world of organised crime and occult will suffer divine indignation without mercy and respite, if they fail to repent.
God’s mercy and salvation are available to everyone that seeks to escape His wrath. He does not reject anyone who believes in the sacrifice of Christ for salvation. All who are thus “justified by the blood of Christ… shall be saved from wrath through him” (Romans 5:9). Though the gospel is unchanging, it is the recipient’s attitude that will determine its impact. Everyone is required, therefore, to make a decision to wholeheartedly receive the Word, believe and abide in the Lord for transformation to take place.
Those who do not want to perish need not wait to see others yield to the Lord before doing so. Where there is no example to follow, the believer must live the exemplary Christ-like life for others to emulate. The believers in the ancient city of Thessalonica, for instance, demonstrated and reflected the doctrines of Christ and became living epistles that ministered to others around them. Without living out the gospel, the hypocritical believer who expects peace will meet with “sudden destruction…” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
Although “God has not appointed us to wrath”, He will definitely punish believers who slide back from the truth, as He did to many Israelites whom He had previously delivered from bondage in Egypt. The warning then is, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God… exhort one another daily… lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12,13).
Apart from watchfulness and exhortation, we must “hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end”, “labour” in spiritual service and not become careless, idle or discouraged. We must hold firm to our faith and conviction to be able to enter His rest. God is calling and encouraging everyone to escape, not by any form of religious observances like being baptised in water, but by repenting of sin and living a God-glorifying life. Without exception, “every tree (everyone who refuses to repent and bear fruits of righteousness) …will be hewn down” (Matthew 3:10).
Jesus is the Saviour, Redeemer, Son, King and Judge whose wrath everyone needs to flee from, by believing, surrendering, abiding and continuing in Him. If we believe, trust, fellowship and continue with the Son, we will enjoy unceasing divine grace, mercy, love, as well as goodness and live with Him in heaven.
Further Reading (King James Version): Colossians 3:5,6; Ephesians 5:5,6; Hebrews 1:9; John 3:16-18,36; Colossians 1:13,14; 2:14,15; 3:1-6,15-17,23-25; 1:28; 4:2,5,6; Ephesians 2:1-5,8-10,13-15,19-22; Colossians 3:5-7; Ephesians 5:3-7; Romans 1:18,21,25-32; 2:5-9; 1 Thessalonians 2:16; Revelation 6:12-17; 11:17,18; 14:8-11; 19:11-16; Romans 5:8,9; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; 5:3-10; Hebrews 3:7-14; 4:1-4,6,11,16; Matthew 3:7-10; Psalm 2:4-6,12.
