We were by nature objects [children] of wrath. Ephesians 2:3 (NIV)
This does not mean that if we do some bad things, the wrath of God will come on us. We are children of wrath by nature. That means, by nature, we are absorbed with self and drawn to sin. By nature, we want to be our own gods. By nature, we were under the wrath of God.
Some people say, “I cannot believe that if a person doesn’t believe the right things about God, he or she will go to hell.” But John tells us, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him” (John 3:36). Notice, John does not say, “If you reject Jesus, God’s wrath will come on you.” He says, “If you reject Jesus, God’s wrath will remain on you.” It is there already. By nature, we are children of wrath.
Your reaction to this teaching about the wrath of God will tell you whether you have really embraced the truth we looked at about our sinful nature. The reason that all people are liable to the wrath of God is that God must destroy sin and sin is in us by nature.
The new heaven and the new earth will be the home of righteousness, so sin can never enter there. But sin is in us by nature. That’s the problem. So, by nature, we can never enter. If we were to enter, which we cannot, we would defile the place that God is making. We need to be made holy first, and that is why we desperately need Christ.
What do you believe about your human nature and the wrath of God? How does it square with the teaching of God’s Word?
