How did Paul view God? He certainly appreciated and considered God’s love, grace, and mercy, as much of what we know concerning these attributes is due to Paul’s writings (Ephesians 2:4-5). Paul also understood that God is holy, perfect, all-powerful, and all-knowing. Today, you and I might picture God as a loving, grandfatherly figure sitting on His throne while listening to and answering our prayers; I wonder if Paul pictured something similar.
In the beginning of his letter to the Romans, Paul clearly describes a quality of God’s nature that we do not often consider: His wrath. To teach both Jewish and Gentile Christians that all of humankind needs God for salvation, Paul writes, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness…” (Romans 1:18). God’s wrath or anger is demonstrated “against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.”
To the Roman Christians, as to us today, this may be a very eye-opening and even frightening statement. The all-powerful and all-loving creator of everything also reveals His anger to those who reject or disobey Him.
Paul’s point to the Romans is the same to us today: obey God. We must be sure that nothing comes between us and God, His love, and His blessings.
Matt Langfield