It is imperative that in our preaching, the Gospel must predominate. God is love, after all (1 John 4:8), and He pleads with all to repent and believe on His Son for eternal life (Acts 17:26-27). He would have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). But in preaching the whole counsel of God with proper emphasis on the G ospel, we may wrongly neglect to preach God’s wrath and justice as Scripture reveals it to us.
The concern, I’d guess, is that we might frighten someone by our description of God. Yes, to those who oppose the Lord and His will, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Just ask the people of Amalek, who harassed the children of Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 17:8-13). Oh, wait—you can’t. The Lord commanded Israel to blot out their memory, and they did (1 Samuel 15:1-9, 32-33).
How terrible is God’s judgment upon His enemies! But God’s judgment has also declared us, who were God’s enemies by sinful nature, to be completely innocent and holy through Jesus’ saving blood and merit. Yes, God is loving and tender to those who call to Him in repentance. At the same time, He is the Defender (Psalm 5:11), the Avenger (Joel 3:21), and the mighty Victor (Psalm 45:4) of His people over every other power. This is your God: a perfect and patient heavenly Father full of grace and promises for us, while simultaneously being an all-consuming storm of destruction upon any who would stand against Him and His people.
Both aspects of God bring us hope, for He delivers us from enemies within and without. Paul asks in Romans 7:24 (ESV), “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” And he immediately answers in verse 25, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” David asks in Psalm 108:10 (ESV), “Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?” And answers in verse 13, “With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.” The mighty Lord God, Who has delivered us from the sin and death that dwelt within us, will also deliver us from the Amalekites of this age so that all the enemies of God who reject His grace and resist His might will, at the Last Day, kneel in defeat. And then we, who have received God’s mercy for Jesus’ sake, will be raised to new life with Him in glory!
Prayer:
O mighty and most merciful God, we praise and thank you for delivering us from our enemies: sin, death, and the devil. As you have valiantly won for us the Victor’s crown of everlasting life, so also triumph over every enemy that would stand against You and Your Word to silence us, Your people. May You reign supreme over all Your creation just as surely as we will reign with you in eternity. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Spokane, Washington.
