“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)
Just what does it mean that God’s wrath is abiding on the wicked, and you must remember this while you contemplate that question, the wicked are all those people throughout time that do not serve the living God, that are not hid in Christ, that are not the righteousness of God in the Lord Jesus Christ. They are those who have not been saved by grace through faith in Christ.
So, then these wicked individuals, those who have much and lack little, who are financially independent, who have wealth, fame, fortune, are beautiful and handsome, just where do you see the wrath of God upon them?
Occasionally you may hear of one or two of them committing suicide, but for the most part the majority of them live full, happy and satisfied lives. Now, you may say, “Well, yes, but if they do not repent, they will go to hell when they die.” Yes, true, but I did not ask you that, did I, I asked how does the wrath of God abide on them today, while they still live those lives desired by so many.
You may believe that their outward appearance belies that of their inward thoughts, and for some you may be correct, but I believe few fit that idea, they have attained much in this world and are for the most part content with their lives. In your mind then I would ask you this, that wrath we speak of, do you find it easier to see it on the downcast, the junkie or drunk on the street corner, those living in slums praying to false gods and idols in faraway lands, the husband and wife down the street that are always bickering, where do you see the wrath of God upon the unrepentant person on this planet?
If you see a beggar on the street with a sign asking for help, any help, do you see the wrath of God upon that person, or do you see Lazarus at the rich man’s gate? Do you see righteous Job, full of sores and reddened eyes from unstoppable tears, or the wrath of God being poured out on that person who resembles him down that alley? If you are looking with only your eyes, you will see the wrath of God in places you might not expect, perhaps sitting in the pew right in front of you.
What is the wrath of God then in this life, that wrath that abides constantly upon the unrighteous, those who have not been crucified with Christ? Is it the removal of materialistic items? If so, what of those “rich and famous” people we just spoke of? If it is not that, then why do hundreds of millions of people live in abject poverty, why does that family down the street yell and scream at each other, why do some prosper while others can barely afford one meal a day, yet all these will die in their sins?
I know the verse you’re thinking of, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36) But I wasn’t asking about after this life was I, I was speaking of today.
I will leave you to contemplate this and ask as you ponder it to keep one word in your thoughts, one that you should understand if you are saved.
Grace.