Behold The Severity of God

by Micky Galloway

Romans 11:22, “Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God’s goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”

In the article last week, we discussed the goodness of God. We must have a clear understanding of God’s goodness so that we may continue in it. Likewise, a clear understanding of God’s severity is necessary so that we may avoid it! The word “severity” (apotomia) means sharpness, roughness, rigor (Thayer). While it is pleasant to reflect on God’s goodness, people do not want to “behold … the severity of God,” but unless we do, we are bound to fall under it! This should be quite disturbing. The Hebrew writer said, “For we know him that said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:30-31).

What do we know about the severity of God?

Our God Is a Consuming Fire. “Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe: for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29). God hates sin (Proverbs 6:16-19). He is certain to punish sin (Hebrews 10:26-31). Indeed, He has prepared a place for the devil and his angels where every sinner will be sentenced to “eternal punishment” (Matthew 25:41; cf. II Thessalonians 1:6-10).

Our God Is a God of Wrath. His wrath is reserved for His enemies. “Jehovah is a jealous God and avengeth; Jehovah avengeth and is full of wrath; Jehovah taketh vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth (wrath) for his enemies” (Nahum 1:2). It will be revealed, “from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). Paul clearly warns the Ephesians about returning to their former practices. “For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them” (Ephesians 5:5-7; cf. Colossians 3:6). Robertson explains the word “wrath” (orgee): “It is the temper of God toward sin, not rage, but the wrath of reason and law” (Shedd, Robertson’s Word Pictures). God’s wrath is always due to sin (cf. Romans 2:5)!

The Sacrifice of Jesus Appeases the Wrath of God. We can escape the wrath of God through Christ. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath (of God) through him” (Romans 5:9). This brings us back to the goodness of God! We do not have to be subjects of God’s wrath. God gave His Son that we might be “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God set forth (to be) a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God; for the showing, (I say), of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:24-26). God gave His Son as a “propitiation,” (hilasteerios), “relating to appeasing or expiating, having placating or expiating force” (Thayer). God’s justice demands the penalty be exacted. Once again, God gave His Son as the offering for sin. By Christ’s sinless life He prepared to offer Himself as a perfect sacrifice. His atoning blood satisfied God’s indignation because of sins (cf. Hebrews 10:17-18).

To escape God’s wrath, the blood of Christ must be applied! “Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3). To be baptized “into His death” is to come into contact with the sin-cleansing blood that was shed (cf. John 19:33-34). To be baptized “into” Christ is to enjoy “all spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3). Baptism then, is an act of surrender to Jesus the Christ; the consummation of faith and repentance, resulting in forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. You need the offering of Jesus applied to your sins to escape the wrath of God! “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16).

The apostle instructs them to “behold” or “consider” the severity of God. Paul is writing to Christians and urges them to live faithfully (Romans 6:6, 12-13). God will punish all sin! The choice is yours! “The desire of the righteous is only good; (But) the expectation of the wicked is wrath” (Proverbs 11:23). It is a simple multiple-choice question really, about how one will live his life. “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his works: (1) to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: (2) but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, (shall be) wrath and indignation” (Romans 2:5-8).

Which one will you choose?