Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. Romans 5:9 (ESV)

In chapters 6 and 7 of the book of Genesis we read the story of a time when God poured out his wrath on sinful man. The earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was filled with violence. Every intent of the thoughts of men’s hearts was only evil continually causing God to regret that he had created man. So, God determined to blot out man from the face of the earth along with the animals, creeping things and birds of the heavens. But, a man named Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord and God made a covenant with him. 

God informed Noah of his intention to destroy mankind with a flood of waters and commanded him to build an ark (a big boat) in order to preserve Noah, his family and a number of animals from the coming judgment. After years of building, Noah completed the task given him by God and at the appointed time he and his family entered the ark along with the animals and God closed the door. 

On the very day that Noah entered the ark the fountains of the great deep burst forth and the windows of heaven were opened and it rained for forty days and forty nights. As the waters rose so did the ark. The waters increased greatly on the earth until all of the mountains were covered. All flesh died that moved on the earth; birds, livestock, beasts and all creatures that swarmed on the earth and along with them all of mankind. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark was saved from God’s vengeful wrath toward sinful man. 

There was another day that God’s wrath was poured out on sinful mankind. However, on this particular day only one person felt the anguish of God’s judgment on man’s sin. That was the day when the sinless Son of God bore his father’s wrath on sin while being crucified on a Roman cross. For all who believe on him, Christ’s death on the cross not only made atonement for their sin, but also averted the wrath of God that awaited them because of sin. So that now, all who by grace through faith believe on the Lord Jesus, no longer remain under the wrath of God (Romans 5:9). 

This reality is made true because believers are “in Christ.” And when Christ died on the cross, absorbing God’s wrath, God’s elect died with him; they were hidden in Christ safe from the wrath of God (Romans 6:8; Colossians 3:3; 2 Timothy 2:11). The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian church that he was crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20). He wrote to the Roman believers, We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.(Romans 6:4-5 ESV) 

There is yet a future day coming when God will once again pour out his wrath on sinful mankind (Matthew 25, Colossians 3:5-6). And just as Noah and his family were saved from the God’s wrath by being in the ark, so are all those who are in Christ saved from God’s wrath. By his work on the cross Jesus has delivered his people from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10). 

Have you been united with Christ? Are you safe from the wrath to come? 

Scriptures
for meditation:

John 3:36
Ephesians 5:5-6

Copyright © 2022 Steve Pruitt/lovnJesus.com

Leave a Reply