Walking through Ephesians - Day 104
versebyverse | February 28, 2008 19:31
Thought: To me, we need our preachers to speak out the truth of God's coming wrath.
Question: Have I been deceived regarding God's wrath?
Scripture: Ephesians: 5:6 (NIV): "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient."
Paul addresses believers here. He's been pointing out how lust opposes love. We have been commanded to imitate God and live a life of love; we have also been commanded to cease from imitating unbelievers and pagans and no longer participate in immoratlity. The two worlds, or ways, cannot co-mingle. Paul taught that immoral, impure, idolatrous people will not receive the inheritance of dwelling in the kingdom. Now he says that wrath will come from God on any who also are "disobedient." Not only are they excluded from Heaven, but they are also made to receive God's furious anger (wrath)! Who are the "disobedient" ones? They are the immoral, impure, greedy idolaters mentioned in verse 5.
If we are into God's way now, we must heed only truth. If we listen to lies we will be drawn away also into wrong doings. So the command here is to nip the problem in the bud by refusing to listen to the deception in the first place. "Let no one deceive you..." What is the deception? To me, it is the commonly heard teaching that because God is a God of love there will be no wrath--there will be no judgment. But Paul calls these "empty words". There is a Day of Wrath coming! There is powerful judgment against sin and evil!
Scripture needs to be balanced with all other scripture. It should be taken as a whole entity. Many scriptures clearly define the coming wrath of God. A few include Jeremiah 10:10, Nahum 1:6, Hebrews 10:27 and Revelation 14:10 and 11. Therefore do not allow anyone's deceitful words to sway you. Get back and stay in truth only: the truth of scripture! It is much more reliable than the ideas of men.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, use a healthy fear in me of Your wrath to keep me from sin and idolatry. And may I, and others, not be deceived away from the truth of Your anger against sin. Amen.
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