Wrath
Jared C. Wilson Blog | July 26, 2012
Wrath belongs to God, not to us. For this reason, we must keep a close eye on our anger and dwell in the truth of God's Word daily to provide fertile ground in our hearts for the Spirit to produce the fruit of gentleness, peace, and self-control in us.
When we become eager to enact God's wrath through personal vengeance, it's often because we distrust God's ability to deal with injustice Himself. Or we distrust Him to do it in a way that satisfies us. When we lash out, fight back, take up zealous causes, angrily pontificate, feud on Facebook, tsk-tsk on Twitter, and berate on blogs, aren't we, in essence, saying God needs us to set people straight? All too often what we're really protecting isn't God's honor, but our reputation or influence.
Jesus' approach to personal wrongs would have us conquer the injustice by embracing its satisfaction at the cross. So instead of attacking the guy who takes our shirt, we offer him our coat, too. I'll admit that Paul's questions in 1 Corinthians 6:7 sting a bit: "Why not rather put up with injustice? Why not rather be cheated?"
If the cross is true, if God is sovereign---why not?
Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord (Romans 12:19).
The reality is that whatever wrath remains to dispense after the satisfaction of the cross will be dispensed by Jesus Himself upon His return. The Book of Revelation doesn't portray a passive, excuse-tolerating King who gives everybody a hall pass whether they love Him or not. Instead, He arrives on a white horse with a sword, vanquishing His enemies. But He does this, not us. So if we will truly trust that vengeance is His, that he will repay, we have all the power in the Spirit to let it go.
And honestly, that's what some Christians need to do right now: Let. It. Go. Because God won't leave any loose ends.
-- Wilson, Seven Daily Sins: How the Gospel Redeems Our Deepest Desires (Nashville: Threads, 2012), 112-113.
Comments:
July 30, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Jared
You ask...
“Why not rather put up with injustice? Why not rather be cheated?”
If the cross is true, if God is sovereign—why not?
If God asks this of you - then you are correct.
There is another side. Othere scriptures - that ask us to speak out. - Jesus did.
Jesus warned His Disciples, and others about - “The Religious Leaders” of His day. Mat 23:1-39.
They - “The Religious Leaders” - say one thing and do another ...
They place heavy burdens on shoulders...
They do their work to be seen of men - Celebrity?
They love the chief seats - They love to be greeted - They, for a pretence make long prayer...
They are called “blind guides” by Jesus - In front of the multitudes...
They omit the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith...
They strain at a gnats...
They make clean the outside But within they are full of extortion and excess...
They are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward,
......but are within full of dead men’s bones
Many do NOT know they are being “Spiritualy Abused” - If “Pastors who Abuse” are all they know.
Then “Spiritual Abuse” is all they know. And they think it’s normal.
Like when a young child is abused for years - they know nothing different.
And the Abuser wants them to remain silent.
This is a common practice for “Pastors who Abuse.” They want to silence those who question.
Seems Jesus warned, and exposed, the False - His Disciples also warned, and exposed the False -
And believers are asked to do the same.
NO - There is NO excuse for Abuse.
Remaining silent for yourself is one thing. If God asks you to.
BUT - God is NOT silent - He asks some NOT to remain silent when His sheep are being abused.
IMO - Most “Pastors who Abuse” **protect** the other “Pastors who Abuse” and their “Systems.”
And - The ones who have been “Religiously Wounded” are “Religiously Wounded” again....
Seeing the “Abuser” protected - And the “Religiously Wounded” cast aside to fend for themselves.
And Being told - Just get over it - Find another church - Remain silent.
NOPE - Theres a better way - Shine the light of Gods word - and the darkness will flee...
July 30, 2012 at 11:43 PM
Jimmy, I am trying to take Jesus' words on avenging ourselves seriously. I don't think there's wiggle room there, although I do think there is biblical allowance for self-defense.
And yet I agree with you that this is not a pass-over for justice. I'm not sure why you'd think I would believe that, but abuse -- in the church or elsewhere -- should be subject to rebuke, discipline, and if physical or otherwise endangering, legal justice.
This post is not about pastoral abuse, so it seems off topic, but for the record, I am not saying that abuse victims should just "suck it up." I am saying that when Jesus commands us to forgive and to cede vengeance to him, he doesn't mean the opposite.
July 26, 2012 at 03:41 PM
Brother,
Over the summer, the campus ministry I'm a part of has been going through your Seven Daily Sins study and it has been very convicting and encouraging. I have had the opportunity to lead some of the sessions and going over some of the material in preparation was like a solid punch to the gut, in a good way.
Anyway, all that to say thank you for your study. I hope God continues to bless you, your church and your ministry.
Soli Deo Gloria
Jimmy Justice
July 31, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Jared
Thank you for the clarifying your thoughts. I’m in agreement with you when you say - “I am trying to take Jesus’ words on avenging ourselves seriously.” Me too. Avenging ourselves and resentment seems only to lead to bitterness and broken hearts.
There have been times I had to - “put up with injustice.” And “Rather be cheated.” And NOT?take a brother to court. I had to remain silent, “Suck it up” and trust the Lord. When it’s large sums of money it is a challenge. But it all belongs to Him.
There was one time - where I felt I had been wronged - and I tried to defend myself to others. But - Every time I tried to give my side of the story to a friend - something would happen - and I never finished.
After 4 or 5 times I got the message. And shut my mouth.
The Lord dealt with my anger and sadness with - Love your enemies - Bless those who curse you - and pray for those who despitfully use you. Mat 5:44.
When someone would come to me with the ugly things others were saying about me...
I would find something to say that would be a blessing and refused to enter in to the conflict.
All I could do was trust God for the out come. ;-)
I might have missed your original thinking on this post and went off topic.
My thinking was and still is - There are more options then remaining silent to injustice.
And we have to go to Jesus to ask what He requires of us in any given situation.
Jesus, did say - “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” John 10:27
1 - Seems there are scriptures which ask us to “cover a transgression.”
Pro 17:9
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Pro 19:11
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
2 - And scriptures that ask us to get involved - when we are wronged - and when to expose sin.
Mat 18:15-16
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault...
...But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more... NO silence here.
Gal 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;
Ga 2:11
But when Peter was come to Antioch,
I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
1 Tim 5:20
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
For me - I have to check in with Jesus - In every circumstance.