Beware of connecting with Biblical wrath

People often talk about being true to the whole bible when they start reaching for a message of wrath and judgement. In an effort to justify speech and action that breeds social friction and an eschewing of fellowship, passages featuring Jesus’ words of love and mercy are continually ignored.

It’s a question of priorities that goes to the heart of of how much of ones self a person puts into their message. Continually picking passages that justify self proclamations of righteousness and good works ignores the humility that Jesus stressed regarding the left hand not knowing what the right hand does, and not doing works so that others can see. What does the placing of ones spiritual reputation, regardless if it is suffixed with a “glory to God,” above the Jesus’ express cry for humility say about pride? Continually picking passages that justify throwing words of condemnation of others ignores Jesus’ parable of the pointing out the mote in a person’s eye in ignorance of the beam in ones own. What does placing the desire to put wrath and judgement above mercy and forgiveness say about a judgemental nature?

What does it say about how important Jesus really is to a person who always draws on passages not quoting him to prop up such an agenda of wrath and judgement in taking the gospel to people. If one finds themselves questioned as to why they can’t give effect to Jesus’ message of love and forgiveness in their own, that ought to give a moment of pause.

If Jesus is the head of the Christian faith, surely his words stand at the head of the doctrine and any message. If two passages clash in tone and effect, surely the passage that quotes Jesus is the choice above the one that does not. If it doesn’t, it means the person is making the call, which means they are placing themselves in the bible. If the choice is wrath, it perhaps says more about what their spiritual walk has become, rather than what God’s love really is.

Beware that connection, and if you see it, do not be afraid to question it. You may give voice to misgivings that others might hold, but quell because they are inclined defer to the authority that the person purports to hold.