Christian: Word of Faith Community Group Community Group
A place for fellow Word-of-Faith believers to support each other, connect, and grow in Christ. Our key verse is Revelation 12:11(KJV) "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...."
Many people today are blaming God for all that is going on right now. I think Scripture is very clear that Jesus took the curse of the law for us (Galatians 3:13), and we are redeemed from the wrath and punishment from God that took place in the Old Covenant or the Old Testament. We don't have to pay for our individual sins or national sins like the Israelite people did. Jesus paid for them, so we don't also have to pay for them. I believe we are currently in the age of Grace, or dispensation of grace, where God is holding back His anger and giving people time to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but the Bible does tell us that there will be a coming judgment in the future. I copied the following post from Barry Bennett that I think explains things really well:
Who is God’s wrath meant for?
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. (Rom. 12:19)
Who is God going to repay with wrath?
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, (Col. 3:5-6)
Scripture is clear that there is such a thing as the wrath of God. and it is a future event (“the day of wrath”) meant for the “sons of disobedience.”
But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, (Romans 2:5)
In Romans 2, Paul was speaking to a group of people that he described in Romans 1:18-32. Who are the “sons of disobedience?” I don’t have the space to paste the entire passage, but I will highlight the characteristics of those who will experience God’s wrath in the day wrath.
1. They suppress the truth. (Rom. 1:18)
2. They have an innate knowledge of God (all do). (Rom. 1:19-20)
3. They do not glorify God, they are not thankful, their thoughts are futile, and their hearts are darkened. (Rom. 1:21)
4. They profess to be wise. (Rom. 1:22)
5. They worship created things, whether men or animals or the planet itself. (Rom. 1:23)
6. God has given them up to the lusts of their hearts. (Rom. 1:24)
7. They dishonor their bodies. (Rom. 1:24)
8. They reject the truth and embrace lies. (Rom. 1:25)
9. They serve creation rather than the Creator. (Rom. 1:25)
10. They embrace homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27)
11. They choose to not keep God in their thoughts. (Rom. 1:28)
12. They are filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving and unmerciful. (Rom. 1:29-31)
13. They understand that they are deserving of death but don’t care. They approve of all who join them in their darkness. (Rom. 1:32)
A quick look at our current society reveals many who have already joined this group and hate the Light. The only answer is the gospel.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes . . . (Rom. 1:16)
You get to choose your destiny. You will either be a believer, saved by the power of the gospel, or you will be a son or daughter of disobedience destined for God’s wrath.
"Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him AS God or even give thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. (22) Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools."
We don't get to decide who God is, or what He is like. We need to respect and reverence Him, and let Him make the rules. We bow down to His rules, that's worshiping Him AS God. I think Romans 12:1 makes this point clear:
"And so, dear brothers ans sisters. I plead with you to give your bodies to God, because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living sacrifice--the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him."