The purpose of Jesus’ arrival on earth was to make peace between God and mankind. Before Jesus came to offer His life for our sins, all of us were living in a state of conflict with God. Because of our sins, we are separated from God, and we were destined to face His judgement. Since Jesus has died for us, He has taken the judgment and wrath of God for our sins and has made peace between us.

In order to acquire this pardon for our sins, each one of us must make a personal decision and public declaration of our desire to be saved by Jesus. God will not force anyone to receive Jesus, but He will hold us accountable for what we do with our life. Isaiah makes the case, in chapter 53, that the chastisement for our peace was upon the Messiah.

The purpose of the Messiah’s sacrifice will be to make peace between God and man.

Isaiah 53:5b … The chastisement for our peace was upon Him…

New Testament Fulfillment:

Colossians 1:19-20 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Taking the Full Wrath of God

Isaiah speaks of a chastisement the Messiah will endure from God in order to make peace possible for us. The Bible is clear that all human beings are in a state of enmity with God in their pre-redemptive state. Because of our sins, we are alienated from God, and we cannot have fellowship with Him. In order for fellowship to be possible, all of our sins must be taken away. According to Biblical principle, this can only occur when the penalty for our sins has been satisfied. Isaiah’s prophecy describes the Messiah taking the penalty we deserve and bearing the full wrath of God that was directed at us.

Understanding the Wrath of God

One of the most misunderstood attributes of God is His wrath against sin. In the Old Testament, we see graphic illustrations of how this wrath is unleashed on sinners, without mercy. To many, God’s anger is offensive and cause enough to flee from His presence. We should give careful consideration to why the Lord is angry against sin. God did not purpose human beings for the suffering we have endured for the past six thousand years. It is because sin came into the world, that the good and perfect creation of God has been perverted and corrupted. What should be a wonderful and abundant life for all of us has been ruined by the wrongful actions of people who are doing what is right in their own eyes, without regard to the welfare of others.

Sin has prevented all human beings from experiencing the perfect life that God intended. It has caused unimaginable pain and heartache, and plagued our planet since Adam. When the Lord could endure our misery no more, He allowed Jesus to come to earth and rescue us. In this amazing display of kindness, God allowed His own Son to take the wrath for our sins, so that we would be spared from all future wrath.

Our vexation for sin should equal God’s displeasure. We should do everything possible to exile its scourge from the earth. All of the laws of human government are an attempt at holding sin in restraint, so that good people can live in peace and safety.

It is interesting that when we look up the definition for disease, we find that it sounds very similar to sin:

Disease: A disorder of structure or function in a human being. A particular quality, habit, or disposition regarded as adversely affecting a person or group of people.

Sin really is just a fatal disease that all human beings have been infected with. God sent Jesus to be the cure for our sickness and to restore us to a perfect and healthy life.

God’s Hatred Of Sin As illustrated In The Old Testament

Was God justified in wiping out the entire Canaanite nation in the Old Testament? For almost 900 years, the Lord warned these brutal people to cease their worship of demonic gods and the offering of their children to the fiery hot arms of their sadistic god, Molech. After nearly a millennia, these warnings bore consequences, as the Lord ordered the systematic destruction of all the nations of the Canaanites.

Because of the patience of God, He was willing to delay judgement for an extraordinary long period of time. The Lord loved the Canaanites and earnestly desired that they would not see judgment, but instead turn to Him in repentance and be saved. Before the Lord ordered their complete annihilation, He would demonstrate for us a very important principle in the Old Testament: God’s hatred of sin is rooted in His love for us.

Although God hates sin, His love for us is exceedingly greater. Although His law demands judgment for the sinner, His mercy offers us forgiveness. The consequences of sin is death, but the Grace of God offers us eternal life. Jesus was willing to bear all of God’s wrath for sin in His own body and die for all of our transgressions. Those who think God is willing to send sinners to hell should consider that His Son died, so that this might never happen.

Categories: Encouragement For The Day, Hell is not God's will for you, Not understanding salvation, One Way to Heaven, Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus, Robert Clifton Robinson, Salvation through Jesus, The Suffering of Jesus, The world rejects Jesus, The Wrath of God, Understanding Suffering, We must see our need

Tags: Can Jesus forgive sins?, God's patience in judgement, How salvation occurs, Principles of Salvation