A God of Love and Wrath?

“God is love” 1 John 4v8

If a key part of Gods character is 'love' then, as discussed in yesterdays post, how can God be angry with us because of the wrong we do. If God is love shouldn't he just forgive our sin?

Love is an important part of Gods character, but is not the only attribute. God is also holy – morally good and pure. As a holy God he has an intense hatred and wrath against all sin.
“Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming” Colossians 3v5-6

Since Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden of Eden sin has separated us from God, leaving us facing his coming wrath. God cannot deny his own character - in justice he will punish all sin. And if 'all have sinned' (Romans 3v23) all stand condemned with no way to save themselves.

But God is love and desires that no-one should perish in sin.
“He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish” 2 Peter 3v9

The God who is there, the God of love, has a rescue plan. In passages of scripture written hundreds of years before Jesus would come God inspired men to write predictions of a coming saviour.

“And I will put enmity between you and the women, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” Genesis 3v15
In the Garden of Eden after the fall of man God warns the serpent, the devil who tempted Adam and Eve to sin, that a male descendent of Eve will crush his power ('he' is singular)

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Micah 5v2
He would come from Bethlehem.

“Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” Psalms 41:9
He would be betrayed by a friend

“All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 8 "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."” Psalm 22:7-8
He would be mocked

“Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.” Psalms 22:16
He would be crucified - pierced hands and feet.

“He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.” Isaiah 53:9
He would be sinless.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9v6
He would be God

Somehow the Sinless God himself would come, born in Bethlehem as a male descendent of Eve (God and human). Over his life he would be betrayed, mocked and crucified.

Are you puzzled by Gods rescue plan to save people from sin? We'll look into greater detail at how the Saviour fulfilled these prophesies and in doing so broke the power of sin in the coming days.