The Severity of God by Lewis Kiger

If there is any attribute of God that has been greatly neglected and abandoned in modern evangelism, it is the one we will consider now together. This sad, but undeniable statement is evidence of the Biblical illiteracy of American Christianity.

Where are God’s men who have the courage and conviction to boldly warn sinners of the anger and wrath of God? Where are the Johnathon Edwards who will stand up and preach on “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God?” Where are the faithful messengers of God who will, with tears in their eyes and passion in their words fearlessly declare a “Payday Someday?”

Instead, Christianity is suffering from an epidemic of weak-kneed, conviction-less cowards, masquerading as preachers. Men who refuse to take a stand on the full Person of God, and declare that while God is a God of love, it is also true that God is just. And, if men refuse to obey the Gospel, He will in righteous wrath cast them into a lake that burns with fire and brimstone for all of eternity.

These shallow prophets refuse to address large swaths of Scripture, because it is uncomfortable or unpopular. Prominent denominations bow the knee to cultural pressure and in so doing, have robbed their hearers of the truth about God and eternity.

Most “evangelical churches” today deliberately neglect the truth about the Severity of God. Yet I submit to you, that the man who preaches only the Love of God, is just as wrong as the man who preaches only the Wrath of God. Regardless of what our society says, there are some things that God hates. Some sins that He calls an abomination, and there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun.

This is exactly what Paul is warning us about in Romans 11:22 "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God…" He says, behold, or stop and consider both; not only one, but both the goodness of God, and the severity, or “the sharp cutting off of God” which is the exact rendering of the language.

Unfortunately, pulpits are only interested in declaring the goodness and not the severity. Ministries are so out of balance that it negates the reality of sin and punishment. On any given Sunday, the sermons you will hear are as out of balance as a see-saw with an African elephant on one end, and a Georgia gnat on the other. It is all love, love, love and never anger, wrath, and justice.

For example, a so-called evangelical church in Florida recently rented and posted a giant billboard along the side of Interstate 4 that says: “GOD IS NOT ANGRY.” Tens of thousands of people pass by and see this sign every day. Now, this may sound lovingly inclusive, but it actually undermines the Gospel message.

Friends, the good news of the Gospel, is only good news in light of the bad news. Let every believer go to their grave telling about the forgiveness, compassion, grace, and long-suffering of God; but let us also be faithful to declare that God is also a God of Divine Wrath and Holy Justice. Could you imagine a billboard like this posted just outside the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah?! Before you deny the severity of God, remember Lot’s wife.

Psalms 7:11, 12 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he (the unconverted) turn not, he (God) will whet his sword; he (God) hath bent his bow, and made it ready. Did you see those words? God is angry with the wicked every day and ready to strike.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

All those who are outside Christ, have the wrath of God abiding on them. And if they do not turn to God’s Son for forgiveness of sins, and find repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; God’s divine wrath demands that He cast every unbeliever into an eternal lake of fire.

God is love. God is good. But God also has a holy hatred of sin.

Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled…Kiss Him, embrace Him, delight yourself in Him. Lest He be angry, and His wrath is ignited against you.