The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness
Romans 1:18
I naturally don't like the idea of God's wrath, I prefer to think of God as a kind, gracious Father who loves me unconditionally. However, I cannot read the Bible without coming across the idea of God's wrath and his anger against sin. Both the Old Testament and the New demonstrate that sin and rebellion against God are not small issues but of significant importance with enormous consequences.
I may prefer not to think about it, but God's wrath, as revealed in Scripture, requires serious consideration. The theologian Don Carson said 'A wrath-less god does not make him more attractive. It makes him morally indifferent.' Writer Joseph Scheumann says, 'God’s wrath is his love in action against sin.'
I have therefore started to consider this subject and part of this has been to re-write John Newton's great hymn, Amazing Grace. Perhaps John Newton could pen such a wonderful hymn about grace because he understood sin and God's wrath
Amazing wrath how harsh the sound
That killed a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am damned
Was blind but still can't see
'Twas wrath that taught my heart to fear
And wrath me fears increased
How awful did that wrath appear
The hour I first deceived
Through many dangers, toils and snares
My life has still to come
'Tis hell that I must face one day
And hell will be my home
When we've been there ten thousand years
Dark clouds hiding the sun
We've no less time to fear God's rage
Than when we first began
I am not sure how relevant this re-write is. It could be seen as ridiculous and irrelevant, but it has provoked me to think more deeply about God's wrath as a demonstration of his love
