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Why does a 'good' God let 'evil' things happen? Part 4

Season #6

In this concluding episode of the series exploring why a good God permits evil and hard things, Staci and Elizabeth dive into the often misunderstood and intimidating topics of divine wrath and the day of the Lord. They unpack how God's wrath is not a capricious, arbitrary anger, but rather the justified, righteous response of a holy, loving God against unrighteousness and sin's destructive power. Drawing on Scripture, they explain how the wrath of God and His redemptive love operate together, how believers are covered by the blood of Christ to escape punishment, and why "the day of the Lord" is a joyful celebration for those in Christ rather than a day to fear.

In This Episode We Talk About:

  • Unpacking common misconceptions about the "angry God of the Old Testament" versus the "kinder New Testament Jesus."
  • How God's holiness and holy love form the foundation for His righteous anger against sin.
  • Viewing the day of the Lord and the day of wrath as two sides of the same coin.
  • A relatable mama-bear analogy to understand how a deep, protective love inherently opposes what seeks to destroy.
  • The assurance that those in Christ Jesus are completely shielded from the wrath of God and called back into fellowship through His endless patience.

Key Scriptures Mentioned:

  • Romans 1:18 
  • Romans 2:5–8 
  • John 3:16 
  • Zephaniah 1:14–18 
  • Romans 8:1 

Favorite Quote from This Episode:

"Clarity is the kindest thing I can do right now... God is not wrath. No, God is holy love. And because of that holy love, there is a wrath of God that will come against the sin that is ready to destroy us."

Savor Moment:

 Invite a friend over, create this easy Mexican treat, and while it’s cooking, explore some Bible Software together…Try out Logos or Blue Letter Bible and research Day of The Lord and Day of Wrath…see what you discover…You’ll be a pro in no time! 

https://www.juliapacheco.com/chicken-tortilla-casserole/

Reflection Question:

Are there areas in your life or heart where you have been running from God, believing the lie that His holiness pushes you away rather than running into the open arms of His long-suffering, patient, and redemptive love through Christ?

Resources:

Frank D. Macchia, Jesus the Spirit Baptizer: Christology in Light of Pentecost (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 275.

 

Jeremy J. Wynne, Wrath Among the Perfections of God’s Life (New York, NY: T&T Clark, 2013), 202.

 

Jim West, “Divine Wrath,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014). 

 

Scott Hahn, ed., in Catholic Bible Dictionary (New York; London; Toronto; Sydney; Auckland: Doubleday, 2009), 201–202.

 

Elmer A. Martens, “Day of the Lord, God, Christ, The,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996), 146, 149.