The wrath of God. Not something a person would want to face alone. Thankfully, if you are a Christian, you need not to worry; you are not alone. Jesus suffered the consequences of your sins on Calvary. Nineveh was about to experience God’s wrath when Jonah was sent to tell them of God’s coming destruction because of their sins. Nineveh, when hearing Jonah’s message, repented, and God forgave them. Over the period of around one hundred years or so, Nineveh reverted back to their former sin and Nahum told them once again that God was going to destroy the land. We read of no repentance at this point but only God’s wrath upon their sins. Think of the story of Nineveh in this way. A person is born and by the mercy of God lives a hundred years. The decisions made during that hundred years determines whether or not they experience God’s wrath or mercy. Sin is the nature of every human due to the fall in the garden of Eden. A curse passed on from generation to generation. Nineveh was never perfect, even after they experienced God’s forgiveness and mercy, but they chose to revert back to their sin, forgetting and taking for granted the mercies of God.
     I’ve heard people make the statement concerning an individual, “It would have been better if they had never been born,” but the true statement is, “It would have been better if they had been born again.” To be born again is to never suffer the deserved punishment for sin, but to experience the forgiveness, mercy, and grace of God by believing in Jesus, His only Son, as Savior. Sin carries a great consequence, but God, not willing that any should perish, willingly gave His only Son to die that we might live. In order to understand this truth, what must a person do to believe?

Believe, Jesus Delivered Us From Wrath:
     A statement that I’ve heard over the years more than once and have even made it myself is: “I’m not that bad.” If we judge ourselves based upon the goodness of man, we will always be better than someone else relatively speaking. God, however; does not compare us to each other but rather with His standard of Holiness based upon Himself. But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV  This is the standard by which we are to live, and by this standard we will be judged. But there is one who made it possible for us to live up to this standard. Jesus. He cleansed us from every sin on the cross by His sacrifice and suffered the punishment for our sins. We are made holy in Christ because he was the perfect Lamb of God. Jesus who delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:10b ESV

Believe, You Must be Born Again:
     Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom God.” John 3:3 ESV  This was an answer given to a man named Nicodemus when he came to Jesus asking questions. Do you have questions? How can a person be born again?
     Please understand, to be born again is a Spiritual birth. It begins with asking questions, and while you may not understand everything, by faith you believe in the one who makes Spiritual birth possible. People are not Christians because they are physically born but because they are Spiritually conceived by the Holy Spirit. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6 ESV

Believe In Salvation By Jesus:
     God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 ESV  This is true for every Christian. As Christians we are being saved in Christ; and as one who is lost, you can be saved by the same blood that redeemed every Christian. The Bible, God’s living word, makes it very clear, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 ESV

     Thank you God that in your mercy and grace you sent your Son Jesus to redeem us from the coming judgement and wrath that you will pour out upon all sin. May we live to prove that Spirit of the living God lives in us. We know that if there is anything worthy of praise in our lives, it is you. To God be the glory now and forever. Amen

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David