Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Daily DevotionalSample

2-Wrath is a Reality It's been well stated that good news isn't good news unless there's also some bad news. That's especially true when it comes to the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What makes the truth of the gospel so good is the fact that there's also another truth that's bad. And unless we understand this bad news, we'll fall short in understanding and appreciating why the gospel is so good. The Apostle Paul points this bad news out for us in the opening paragraphs of the book of Romans. He tells us "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." That's bad news, because it places us in the position of being on the receiving end of God's wrath. We don't really hear or use the word "wrath" much these days, so it's a fair question to ask what it means, especially when it's being connected to God and His character. Basically, wrath is an intensely passionate rage toward someone or something. "Wait, I thought God is loving and gentle. How can He have wrath or rage toward anything?" It's critical to notice that the scriptures tell us that God's wrath isn't directed toward men, but toward "all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." Don't miss this important distinction. It isn't the sinner but the sin that God's wrath is directed upon. His wrath is focused on our sin, not on us. But the fact remains, unless we find some sort of solution for our sin, it puts us on a collision course with divine wrath that will end in our eternal judgment (John 3:36). Again, that's bad news. But it's the reality of God's wrath that opens our hearts and our eyes to the great goodness of His gospel. It's been well stated that good news isn't good news unless there's also some bad news. Think about it... What does this passage reveal to me about God? What does this passage reveal to me about myself? Based on this, what changes do I need to make? What is my prayer for today?