Each strike and you’re out.
The wrath of God is the personal response of His holiness to wickedness and rebellion. For the wrath of God is being revealed, (‘being revealed’ in the present participle indicate that it is happening in the present) from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who supress the truth by their wickedness (v18) :-
1) Because they have exchanged the glory of the immortal God for idols (v23) therefore God gave them over to sexual impurity (v24). In turning our backs towards God, we turn away from the One who gives us value, meaning, significance and seek to fill the void with things that do not satisfy nor last. The process of degradation begins.
2) Because they have exchanged the truth of God for a lie (v25) therefore God gave them over to shameful lusts (v26). Natural boundaries are no longer indistinguishable in the pursuit of shameful pleasure.
3) Because they did not see fit to retain the knowledge of God (v28a) therefore God gave them over to a depraved (unfit) mind (v28b). The process of depravation continues. To the philosopher of the world today who does not acknowledge God, God calls that person a fool, a moron. To the one whose life has the appearance of happiness without God, earth is the closest they will get to experience heaven, thereafter the eternal punishment of hell awaits them (Ps 73).
One strike and you’re in.
You may die for a selected few but you will never die for all. Christ, who knew no sin, took all the sins of every man and woman and became sin. He says, My life for yours! God struck Christ at the cross. The wrath of God was poured on Christ. Extinguished, the wrath of God was satisfied. For the righteousness of God is being revealed through Christ, it is available to be received in exchange for the Wrath of God. It can only be exchanged through faith (v17).
The Glorious Exchange,
Christ’s righteousness for the wrath of God.
Chris Yap
