Trap 1 Christians Fall Into: Thinking God is Angry with Them

(This is the first in a series entitled: "8 Traps Christians Fall Into.")

TRAP 1 CHRISTIANS FALL INTO: THINKING GOD IS ANGRY

As a believer in Jesus Christ, have you ever thought God was angry with you? It's not so hard to see why many of us fall into this trap. I mean, in many places in the Body of Christ (if we were really honest), this is the emphasis concerning our Lord. I'm talking about the emphasis that God is mad at His people ~ that they mostly rub Him the wrong way ~ that He's hard to please (if He's even able to be pleased at all). This really is the emphasis in a lot of church settings. And it's truly unfortunate.

Because the fact is God isn't angry with us. "He's not angry with you, ________ (fill in the blank with your own name and say it)." He's not!

In a moment I'll be offering you a single verse to prove it. But before that, I want to give you two reasons why I believe some Christians think God is angry with them.

1ST REASON WHY CHRISTIANS THINK GOD IS ANGRY

The first reason is this: Some believers equate wrong attitudes of "father figures" with God's attitude ~ whether it be an earthly father, a pastor, a boss, etc (even a friend). This is the first reason why some Christians think God is mad ~ because their dad always was or their pastor comes off that way or because their boss is edgy or because any other "father figure" they might know or have known is like that. It's because those who were stationed by God in their lives to be examples of His holy attitude and character have failed to portray Him in a right way. How important it is that "father figures" fulfill their role as God intended.

2ND REASON WHY CHRISTIANS THINK GOD IS ANGRY

The second reason that I believe some Christians think God is angry with them is this: It's because they don't truly understand grace. Grace is unmerited favor (to not merit something means you can't earn it by doing something or not doing something). God's unmerited favor (grace) is bestowed upon sinful men and women by a God who loves without condition. This is what grace is. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11 is a story about grace. The religious leaders are requiring that the woman be stoned for her sin. (John 8:5) They call on Jesus to get angry / upset, to blow His top and throw a tantrum ~ to do away with the immoral, wretched gal. But what does Jesus do? (You know the story.) He says, "'He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.'" (John 8:7)

Does that sound like a God who's angry?

Jesus turns to the woman as all her condemners are leaving and says, "'Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?'" (John 8:10b) She responds, "'No one, Lord.'" (John 8:11a) Jesus closes, "'Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more.'" (John 8:11b)

This is grace talking here. Did you need to hear it?

GOD HAS EXPENDED ALL OF HIS WRATH

I'd now like to offer you a verse to prove our Lord truly isn't angry (as if the last story in John 8 wasn't enough!) Isaiah 53:5 states in the King James Version...

But He (Jesus Christ) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

What this verse in Isaiah tells us ~ what this verse declares! ~ is that God has expended all His wrath ~ God has expended all His anger towards sin ~ He's exhausted it all ~ every last ounce! ~ against and upon His Son. He did it at the cross! Can you say, "Praise the Lord"?

And so there's none left. It's all gone. God's fury has subsided. He's no longer angry.

He's no longer angry with you. (Romans 5:1)

You might also be interested in:

• God Rejoices Over Us
• Has God Forgotten Us (Me)?