The Abandoned: God Is Angry

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” (Romans 1:18)

Why is God angry? In one word—sin. Adam and Eve disobeyed God so He banished them from the garden in Eden (Genesis 3). Many years later, God’s wrath was unleashed on mankind through a flood of water that destroyed almost every person on the earth. Only eight persons were spared, Noah and his family which he took aboard the ark (Genesis 6 – 8). We know God is patient (Psalm 86:15), but He will not tolerate sin forever (Genesis 6:3). God promised to punish those who do not turn away from their wickedness (Ezekiel 3:16–20).

God is angry because every intent of the thoughts of man’s heart is only evil continually (Genesis 6:5). God is angry because man has chosen to do what is right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25). God is angry because man does not honor Him, or give thanks, but instead man worships idols (Romans 1:18–25). God is angry because man does not like to acknowledge Him any longer Romans 1:28).

When a person chooses to do whatever is right in his own eyes rather than what God has instructed, God eventually abandons that person. As Paul wrote in Romans 1:24, 26 and 28, “God gave them up” (KJV), “God gave them over” (KJV, NASB), “God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired” (NLT). (Compare with Judges 10:10–14; 16:20; 1 Samuel 16:14; 18:12; 28:15; 2 Chronicles 15:1–2; 24:20; Psalm 81:8–12; Hosea 4:17)

What does man in his unrighteousness pursue when God abandons him? Sexual sin, wickedness, greed, evil, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, hatred of God, insolence, arrogance, boasting, inventing evil, disobedience to parents, without understanding, untrustworthiness, unloving, mercilessness. And, “although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them” (Romans 1:28–32).