100:00:00,320 –> 00:00:10,880Verse 18 gives us a very clear calling to peace. But if we are to live200:00:10,880 –> 00:00:16,480peaceably in a world of conflict like this, there are certain things that we need to know,300:00:17,440 –> 00:00:22,160and we need to be absolutely clear about. And the things that we need to know and be400:00:22,160 –> 00:00:26,719clear about in order to do verse 18 are given to us in verse 19.500:00:27,360 –> 00:00:32,000Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick. I’m glad you could be600:00:32,000 –> 00:00:37,360with us today and Colin for the past couple of weeks we’ve been looking at Romans Chapter 12700:00:37,360 –> 00:00:43,119in a series called Overcoming Evil. Yeah. Do not be overcome by evil,800:00:43,119 –> 00:00:48,480but overcome evil with good. That’s the calling that’s given to us as Christian believers. And900:00:48,480 –> 00:00:54,320of course one of the hardest places for us to follow that exhortation is where we’re wounded.1000:00:54,320 –> 00:00:59,599Where you’ve been hurt by others. Now what are you going to do in response to that? Are you going1100:00:59,599 –> 00:01:07,599to hurt the person who hurt you back? I mean we already live in a world where conflict just1200:01:07,599 –> 00:01:14,639escalates and feeds on one wound being traded with another. How is that cycle ever going to1300:01:14,639 –> 00:01:19,040be broken? Well that’s what we’re called to. And today in the program we’re going to look1400:01:19,040 –> 00:01:25,919at three things that you need to know in order to have peace when you’ve been wounded and be1500:01:25,919 –> 00:01:31,760able to bring peace even in regards to a person who has wounded you. You know this is a really1600:01:31,760 –> 00:01:38,959distinctive Christian calling and Christians who can live at peace in a world of conflict and be1700:01:38,959 –> 00:01:44,559peacemakers in a world of conflict that’s going to be one of the most important contributions we1800:01:44,639 –> 00:01:50,720make in a time of great division in our culture today. Well let’s see how we can do just that join1900:01:50,720 –> 00:01:58,879us in Romans chapter 12 today verses 17 to 21 as we continue the message overcoming evil with peace.2000:01:58,879 –> 00:02:03,440Here’s Colin. So now let’s think about God’s wrath in relation to peace with each other2100:02:04,400 –> 00:02:12,320if possible verse 18 so far as it depends on you live peaceably with all2200:02:12,960 –> 00:02:20,240all loved never avenge yourselves but leave it to the wrath of God for it is2300:02:20,240 –> 00:02:27,119written vengeance is mine I will repay says the lord now you see what he’s saying verse 18 gives2400:02:27,119 –> 00:02:37,360us a very clear calling to peace but if we are to live peaceably in a world of conflict like2500:02:37,360 –> 00:02:42,960conflict like this there are certain things that we need to know and we need to be absolutely2600:02:42,960 –> 00:02:49,759clear about them and the things that we need to know and be clear about in order to do verse 182700:02:49,759 –> 00:02:56,479are given to us in verse 19. And what are they? Well if you’re to live peaceably in a world of2800:02:56,479 –> 00:03:03,919conflict you need to know first that there will be a retribution vengeance is mine I will repay2900:03:04,399 –> 00:03:07,839the Lord. You need to know that if you’re going to live at peace.3000:03:10,080 –> 00:03:14,960Now Paul is going to go on to say in Romans and chapter 13 that God has established governing3100:03:14,960 –> 00:03:21,199authorities for this purpose of administering justice. So in just a few verses chapter 133200:03:21,199 –> 00:03:28,000and verse 4 uh Paul speaks about the magistrate the judge the person who is given governing3300:03:28,000 –> 00:03:33,679authority with regards to legal process in the world that he is the servant of God.3400:03:34,639 –> 00:03:41,440That he is an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. That’s a remarkably3500:03:41,440 –> 00:03:51,520striking phrase. Here’s the principle, God has established authority in every home,3600:03:53,199 –> 00:03:59,839in every school, in every workplace, in every church, in every community and in every nation.3700:04:00,639 –> 00:04:08,880And those who are given this authority are responsible for recompensing evil which is3800:04:08,880 –> 00:04:14,080necessary to the maintaining of peace and they are responsible for it in whatever sphere they3900:04:14,080 –> 00:04:20,320have been given this authority. In that sphere they are to carry out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.4000:04:20,320 –> 00:04:26,320In other words, God is relentlessly opposed towards all evil and there has to be a manifestation4100:04:27,119 –> 00:04:33,119of that in this world if there is to be peace in a family or in a community.4200:04:34,079 –> 00:04:39,040And this is why God has established authorities in this world.4300:04:40,160 –> 00:04:42,880Now let me bond it down to this very practical application.4400:04:44,640 –> 00:04:54,959If parents stop believing in the wrath of God they will find it very, very difficult4500:04:54,959 –> 00:05:00,239to find a basis on which to exercise discipline in the home.4600:05:02,480 –> 00:05:04,559Because if God doesn’t punish why would we?4700:05:06,559 –> 00:05:10,880And so if there is no discipline in the home, what’s gonna happen in 10 years’ time?4800:05:10,880 –> 00:05:12,239The home is gonna be chaotic.4900:05:13,760 –> 00:05:15,279What will be lost?5000:05:15,279 –> 00:05:15,779Peace.5100:05:17,040 –> 00:05:20,079You see, whenever you ditch one thing that God has revealed5200:05:20,079 –> 00:05:23,040you end up losing another thing that is tied to it.5300:05:23,040 –> 00:05:24,160Do you see the connection?5400:05:26,239 –> 00:05:31,119The basis of appropriate discipline within the home is5500:05:31,119 –> 00:05:33,200that God says that authorities are set up5600:05:33,200 –> 00:05:34,959and that includes mothers and fathers5700:05:34,959 –> 00:05:40,160who are to represent the opposition of God to evil in this world5800:05:41,440 –> 00:05:47,359and that representation is necessary to the establishing5900:05:47,359 –> 00:05:50,239and to the maintenance of peace and order6000:05:50,239 –> 00:05:54,959in any home, in any school, in any church, in any community,6100:05:54,959 –> 00:05:56,959and in any nation.6200:05:58,799 –> 00:06:04,399In other words, the basis of order lies in the wrath of God,6300:06:04,399 –> 00:06:07,279that He is irreconcilably opposed to all evil6400:06:07,279 –> 00:06:10,799and that He will indeed bring it to judgment.6500:06:12,640 –> 00:06:16,559And the Bible gives to us the principle on which6600:06:16,559 –> 00:06:19,760the administration of justice should be carried out6700:06:19,760 –> 00:06:21,359whether that be in the courts,6800:06:21,359 –> 00:06:23,119or indeed, whether it be in the home.6900:06:24,880 –> 00:06:29,119And the principle much maligned and much misunderstood7000:06:29,119 –> 00:06:32,480is given to us in very well known words from the Bible.7100:06:34,239 –> 00:06:38,959An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.7200:06:40,399 –> 00:06:42,559Now let’s just deal with this for a moment.7300:06:42,559 –> 00:06:44,559There’s a kind of quip on that7400:06:44,559 –> 00:06:47,600that’s often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi.7500:06:47,600 –> 00:06:50,239Though nobody seems very sure or completely sure7600:06:50,239 –> 00:06:52,880as to whether he was the one who actually said it,7700:06:52,880 –> 00:06:54,959but the quip is this, and it’s widely known.7800:06:54,959 –> 00:07:00,160An eye for an eye, soon leads to the whole world going blind.7900:07:02,320 –> 00:07:04,239It’s actually quite clever, isn’t it?8000:07:04,239 –> 00:07:06,480But it’s based on a misunderstanding,8100:07:06,480 –> 00:07:08,079and here’s the misunderstanding,8200:07:10,239 –> 00:07:12,640that when God says, an eye for an eye,8300:07:12,640 –> 00:07:15,200and a tooth for a tooth, this is legislative.8400:07:16,079 –> 00:07:17,200It’s Old Testament law.8500:07:17,200 –> 00:07:19,200This is the principle of justice8600:07:19,200 –> 00:07:22,239that is being given to legislators, to justices,8700:07:22,239 –> 00:07:24,640to anyone who is in a position8800:07:24,640 –> 00:07:28,160of exercising authority in any sphere.8900:07:29,519 –> 00:07:31,040And the principle that is given9000:07:31,040 –> 00:07:32,880for the exercise of authority9100:07:32,880 –> 00:07:35,920is the principle of proportionality.9200:07:37,760 –> 00:07:40,079An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.9300:07:41,040 –> 00:07:43,760In other words, the punishment must fit the crime.9400:07:43,760 –> 00:07:45,040That’s the simple principle,9500:07:45,040 –> 00:07:46,959and there must be proportionality to it.9600:07:46,959 –> 00:07:50,000So that, if in a culture,9700:07:51,679 –> 00:07:54,079heinous and violent crime9800:07:55,359 –> 00:07:58,399is treated with a sort of slap on wrist,9900:07:59,440 –> 00:08:00,959then in the end, you will lose peace,10000:08:00,959 –> 00:08:02,959because people will say there’s no justice here,10100:08:02,959 –> 00:08:04,559and they’ll lose confidence in the court.10200:08:06,160 –> 00:08:07,839And if, on the other hand,10300:08:09,040 –> 00:08:12,559offenses of a much more minor nature10400:08:12,559 –> 00:08:19,359are hit with draconian punishment and sentence,10500:08:19,359 –> 00:08:20,480then what will happen?10600:08:20,480 –> 00:08:23,359The seeds of rebellion will be planted in people’s hearts10700:08:23,359 –> 00:08:24,559and they’ll end up out the streets.10800:08:24,559 –> 00:08:25,679So, again, you lose peace.10900:08:27,119 –> 00:08:30,239So the proper administration of justice11000:08:30,239 –> 00:08:34,320is necessary to the maintenance of peace11100:08:34,320 –> 00:08:35,679in any community.11200:08:35,679 –> 00:08:36,559It’s just how it is.11300:08:36,559 –> 00:08:38,479That’s part of the responsibility11400:08:38,479 –> 00:08:39,520of those who are given11500:08:39,520 –> 00:08:41,919administrative oversight of schools.11600:08:41,919 –> 00:08:43,200It’s part of what has to happen11700:08:43,200 –> 00:08:44,719with parents and the family.11800:08:45,840 –> 00:08:47,119Otherwise there’s chaos.11900:08:48,559 –> 00:08:50,559And this principle is really important,12000:08:50,559 –> 00:08:52,400of proportionality.12100:08:52,400 –> 00:08:53,919Always remember this,12200:08:53,919 –> 00:08:56,239God never punishes12300:08:56,239 –> 00:08:59,840to the full extent of his strength.12400:09:01,840 –> 00:09:03,359And nor should any parent punish12500:09:03,359 –> 00:09:05,119to the full extent of hers or his.12600:09:07,200 –> 00:09:08,799An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.12700:09:08,799 –> 00:09:11,039The principle here is absolutely vital.12800:09:12,159 –> 00:09:13,440So please understand this.12900:09:13,440 –> 00:09:15,200And if this one’s quoted against you13000:09:15,200 –> 00:09:16,320sometime as a Christian,13100:09:16,320 –> 00:09:17,679you’ll have your answer ready.13200:09:18,799 –> 00:09:20,640The eye for the eye and the tooth for the tooth13300:09:20,640 –> 00:09:22,719is not given to private individuals.13400:09:22,719 –> 00:09:23,840It’s judicial.13500:09:23,840 –> 00:09:25,919It’s a principle for judicial authority.13600:09:26,799 –> 00:09:28,000God does not say13700:09:29,679 –> 00:09:31,760if someone smashes your window,13800:09:31,760 –> 00:09:33,760just you go and smash theirs, right?13900:09:34,559 –> 00:09:35,760That would be the formula14000:09:35,760 –> 00:09:36,479for all of the world14100:09:36,479 –> 00:09:37,760going blind very very soon14200:09:37,760 –> 00:09:39,760or all of the world having no windows14300:09:39,760 –> 00:09:41,599in that particular case.14400:09:42,559 –> 00:09:43,840But you see the point here14500:09:43,840 –> 00:09:45,440is seen directly in the verse14600:09:45,440 –> 00:09:46,159that we’re looking at.14700:09:46,159 –> 00:09:48,239You see there will be retribution.14800:09:48,239 –> 00:09:49,919That’s the first thing you need to see.14900:09:49,919 –> 00:09:51,440The second thing you need to see15000:09:51,440 –> 00:09:53,520is you are not to take retribution15100:09:53,520 –> 00:09:54,000yourself.15200:09:54,559 –> 00:09:56,000This is not a private matter15300:09:56,000 –> 00:09:57,599it is trusted to authorities.15400:09:58,239 –> 00:10:00,799Beloved, never avenge yourselves.15500:10:00,799 –> 00:10:02,080There’s going to be peace and order15600:10:02,080 –> 00:10:02,640in the world.15700:10:02,640 –> 00:10:03,359You’ve got to know that15800:10:03,359 –> 00:10:04,559there will be retribution15900:10:04,559 –> 00:10:05,359on the one hand.16000:10:05,359 –> 00:10:06,719And second you’ve got to know16100:10:06,719 –> 00:10:10,239you’re not the one to do it.16200:10:10,239 –> 00:10:12,640God has given this to governing authorities.16300:10:12,640 –> 00:10:14,000He has not given it to you.16400:10:15,520 –> 00:10:16,559And that remains true16500:10:16,559 –> 00:10:18,080even when the governing authorities16600:10:18,080 –> 00:10:19,440don’t do a very good job.16700:10:19,440 –> 00:10:21,679Remember this is written to Roman Christians16800:10:21,679 –> 00:10:24,000in the time of Nero.16900:10:24,719 –> 00:10:25,919Now that of course leads us17000:10:25,919 –> 00:10:26,799to the question17100:10:27,440 –> 00:10:28,559what about crimes that17200:10:28,559 –> 00:10:29,520are never solved?17300:10:30,799 –> 00:10:31,840What about the times17400:10:31,840 –> 00:10:33,679when there is a miscarriage of justice17500:10:33,679 –> 00:10:34,559by the very courts17600:10:34,559 –> 00:10:35,840that have been established17700:10:35,840 –> 00:10:37,760to exercise or reflect the fact17800:10:37,760 –> 00:10:39,599that there is justice in God.17900:10:40,960 –> 00:10:42,000What about the evils18000:10:42,000 –> 00:10:43,440that are never brought to light?18100:10:43,440 –> 00:10:45,039What about the sins18200:10:45,039 –> 00:10:46,880that have never, never, never18300:10:46,880 –> 00:10:47,679been dealt with?18400:10:48,960 –> 00:10:50,320And the answer to that question18500:10:50,320 –> 00:10:51,119is this third thing18600:10:51,119 –> 00:10:51,919that we need to know18700:10:51,919 –> 00:10:53,200in order to live peaceably18800:10:53,200 –> 00:10:54,400in a world of conflict18900:10:54,400 –> 00:10:54,960which is19000:10:55,840 –> 00:10:58,479that you place the unresolved injustice19100:10:58,479 –> 00:10:59,760into the hands of God.19200:11:01,119 –> 00:11:04,719Leave it to the wrath of God.19300:11:04,719 –> 00:11:06,000Verse 19.19400:11:06,000 –> 00:11:09,760Leave it to the wrath of God19500:11:11,039 –> 00:11:12,479So, friend, what is an injustice19600:11:12,479 –> 00:11:14,400that has never really been put right?19700:11:15,440 –> 00:11:16,719An evil that has never really19800:11:16,719 –> 00:11:17,520been settled19900:11:17,520 –> 00:11:18,880in regard to your experience20000:11:18,880 –> 00:11:20,239that you need to place20100:11:20,880 –> 00:11:22,559into the hand of God today20200:11:22,559 –> 00:11:25,599and say, I’m gonna trust this to you,20300:11:25,599 –> 00:11:28,320I’m going to wait on you, oh Lord.20400:11:29,119 –> 00:11:30,880And I am looking to you20500:11:30,880 –> 00:11:34,239to be the one who delivers me.20600:11:35,919 –> 00:11:36,559When you do that20700:11:36,559 –> 00:11:38,320you are following in the path of Jesus.20800:11:40,479 –> 00:11:42,320Remember his experience of the court?20900:11:44,239 –> 00:11:45,760He stands before a judge,21000:11:46,640 –> 00:11:47,840a Roman one by the name21100:11:47,840 –> 00:11:49,599of Pontius Pilate, who says to him,21200:11:50,479 –> 00:11:51,760what is truth?21300:11:53,520 –> 00:11:55,359What chance have you of a fair trial21400:11:56,080 –> 00:11:58,479if the judge doesn’t even21500:11:58,479 –> 00:12:00,400believe in the category of truth21600:12:00,400 –> 00:12:02,080and isn’t even sure it exists?21700:12:03,440 –> 00:12:07,200Wow, then earlier in another court21800:12:07,200 –> 00:12:08,400with the chief priests21900:12:09,359 –> 00:12:11,599in a court of law,22000:12:11,599 –> 00:12:14,320a legally constituted court.22100:12:15,760 –> 00:12:16,400What happens?22200:12:16,400 –> 00:12:17,280Can you imagine this?22300:12:17,280 –> 00:12:19,520In a court, he is blindfolded22400:12:19,520 –> 00:12:20,559and they start hitting him22500:12:20,559 –> 00:12:22,400and saying, prophesy who hit you.22600:12:22,400 –> 00:12:23,359The court was turned22700:12:23,359 –> 00:12:24,880into a torture chamber.22800:12:26,960 –> 00:12:28,239Well, what does Jesus do22900:12:28,239 –> 00:12:28,960when he’s not getting23000:12:28,960 –> 00:12:30,080justice from the courts?23100:12:32,479 –> 00:12:33,520He has all power!23200:12:33,520 –> 00:12:35,359He can take it into his own hands!23300:12:35,359 –> 00:12:36,159He doesn’t do that.23400:12:38,559 –> 00:12:40,960What he does is 1 Peter 2, 2323500:12:40,960 –> 00:12:43,039he continues entrusting himself23600:12:43,039 –> 00:12:44,799to him who judges Justly.23700:12:44,799 –> 00:12:46,159Father, I know that23800:12:46,159 –> 00:12:47,840every evil will be dealt with23900:12:47,840 –> 00:12:49,840and will be dealt with by you24000:12:49,840 –> 00:12:51,039and I’m trusting24100:12:51,039 –> 00:12:53,119all this injustice right now.24200:12:53,119 –> 00:12:55,200I can’t get justice in the courts.24300:12:55,200 –> 00:12:57,840I’m trusting it into your hands.24400:12:57,840 –> 00:12:59,359I’m not going to take it into my own.24500:13:01,200 –> 00:13:02,320And so he makes peace24600:13:02,960 –> 00:13:04,320and opens the way of peace.24700:13:04,320 –> 00:13:07,840See, the truth of God’s wrath24800:13:07,840 –> 00:13:10,799is our ultimate assurance24900:13:10,799 –> 00:13:13,440that there will be justice25000:13:13,440 –> 00:13:14,799that God himself is the one25100:13:14,799 –> 00:13:15,520that will bring it25200:13:15,520 –> 00:13:18,239and when you believe that25300:13:18,239 –> 00:13:20,320even if you have experienced25400:13:20,320 –> 00:13:23,840injustice in this world25500:13:23,840 –> 00:13:24,719you are in a position25600:13:24,719 –> 00:13:27,599where you can exercise restraint25700:13:27,599 –> 00:13:29,200where you have not been able25800:13:29,200 –> 00:13:30,239to get justice right now.25900:13:30,239 –> 00:13:30,960You’re listening26000:13:30,960 –> 00:13:31,919to Open The Bible26100:13:31,919 –> 00:13:33,119with Pastor Colin Smith26200:13:33,119 –> 00:13:33,840and a message from26300:13:34,320 –> 00:13:38,880Don’t forget if you ever26400:13:38,880 –> 00:13:40,080miss one of our broadcasts26500:13:40,080 –> 00:13:41,039you can always catch up26600:13:41,039 –> 00:13:42,640or go back and listen again26700:13:42,640 –> 00:13:43,359online26800:13:43,359 –> 00:13:44,320come to our website26900:13:47,039 –> 00:13:47,760there you’ll find27000:13:47,760 –> 00:13:48,719all the messages27100:13:48,719 –> 00:13:49,359which have already27200:13:49,359 –> 00:13:50,559been broadcast.27300:13:50,559 –> 00:13:52,000Back to the message now27400:13:52,000 –> 00:13:52,719here’s Colin27500:13:53,280 –> 00:13:54,400I want us to grasp27600:13:54,400 –> 00:13:55,440this very very27700:13:55,440 –> 00:13:56,880very important truth27800:13:56,880 –> 00:13:57,919about God’s wrath27900:13:58,719 –> 00:13:59,440most important thing28000:13:59,440 –> 00:14:00,320you can know about it28100:14:01,359 –> 00:14:03,119that it has been28200:14:03,119 –> 00:14:05,919poured out at the cross28300:14:07,280 –> 00:14:08,239Many times in the28400:14:08,239 –> 00:14:09,039Old Testament28500:14:09,039 –> 00:14:10,159we have this language28600:14:10,159 –> 00:14:11,119about God’s wrath28700:14:11,119 –> 00:14:12,479being poured out28800:14:13,599 –> 00:14:15,200and spent28900:14:15,919 –> 00:14:16,479spent29000:14:17,520 –> 00:14:18,000you have that29100:14:18,000 –> 00:14:19,440in Ezekiel chapter 729200:14:19,440 –> 00:14:20,239and verse 829300:14:20,239 –> 00:14:21,200and many many29400:14:21,200 –> 00:14:22,320many other places29500:14:23,760 –> 00:14:24,960The wrath of God29600:14:24,960 –> 00:14:27,039can be poured out29700:14:28,000 –> 00:14:29,039and by definition29800:14:29,039 –> 00:14:29,919when something is29900:14:29,919 –> 00:14:31,119poured out30000:14:31,119 –> 00:14:32,159it is spent30100:14:32,159 –> 00:14:33,200it is exhausted30200:14:33,200 –> 00:14:34,080it is finished30300:14:35,679 –> 00:14:36,400that it’s gone30400:14:38,159 –> 00:14:38,960And this of course30500:14:38,960 –> 00:14:40,159takes us to the heart30600:14:40,159 –> 00:14:41,039of what happened30700:14:41,039 –> 00:14:41,840at the cross30800:14:41,840 –> 00:14:43,520where the divine wrath30900:14:43,520 –> 00:14:44,320towards sin31000:14:44,320 –> 00:14:46,479was poured out on Jesus31100:14:46,479 –> 00:14:47,520and he became31200:14:47,520 –> 00:14:48,640what the Bible calls31300:14:48,640 –> 00:14:49,599big word31400:14:49,599 –> 00:14:51,039the propitiation31500:14:51,039 –> 00:14:52,640That’s in Romans 3 2531600:14:53,520 –> 00:14:54,960and in 1 John 231700:14:54,960 –> 00:14:55,520in verse 231800:14:55,520 –> 00:14:56,159and that big word31900:14:56,159 –> 00:14:57,119simply means that32000:14:57,119 –> 00:14:57,599the wrath32100:14:58,320 –> 00:14:59,520that was due to sin32200:14:59,520 –> 00:15:01,119was poured out on him32300:15:01,119 –> 00:15:02,880as he became the sacrifice32400:15:02,880 –> 00:15:03,599for us32500:15:03,599 –> 00:15:04,479on the cross32600:15:05,280 –> 00:15:06,000that means32700:15:06,000 –> 00:15:07,599that the recompense32800:15:07,599 –> 00:15:08,559for sins32900:15:10,000 –> 00:15:11,119was poured out33000:15:11,119 –> 00:15:12,400on Jesus33100:15:13,679 –> 00:15:14,000Friends33200:15:14,000 –> 00:15:15,359don’t every get the idea33300:15:16,159 –> 00:15:17,119that god loves you33400:15:17,119 –> 00:15:17,760because Jesus33500:15:17,760 –> 00:15:18,640died for you33600:15:19,280 –> 00:15:20,400It’s the other way around33700:15:21,520 –> 00:15:22,640Jesus died for you33800:15:22,640 –> 00:15:24,320because god loves you33900:15:25,520 –> 00:15:26,239And here’s the34000:15:26,239 –> 00:15:26,960amazing thing34100:15:26,960 –> 00:15:28,000god loved you34200:15:28,000 –> 00:15:29,119even when you were34300:15:29,119 –> 00:15:30,640an object of his wrath34400:15:31,119 –> 00:15:32,159That amazing34500:15:32,159 –> 00:15:33,039Try and take that in34600:15:34,400 –> 00:15:35,280Even when34700:15:36,400 –> 00:15:38,080you were under his wrath34800:15:38,080 –> 00:15:38,960even then34900:15:38,960 –> 00:15:39,599he loved you35000:15:39,599 –> 00:15:40,880while we were still sinners35100:15:40,880 –> 00:15:42,000Christ died for us35200:15:43,760 –> 00:15:45,200And here’s the mystery35300:15:45,200 –> 00:15:46,239at the very35400:15:46,239 –> 00:15:47,280very heart35500:15:47,280 –> 00:15:48,479of the gospel35600:15:48,479 –> 00:15:49,599This is amazing35700:15:50,799 –> 00:15:51,679because Jesus35800:15:51,679 –> 00:15:52,799Christ is35900:15:52,799 –> 00:15:53,440God36000:15:53,440 –> 00:15:54,400in the flesh36100:15:55,440 –> 00:15:56,159and God was36200:15:56,159 –> 00:15:57,679reconciling the world36300:15:57,679 –> 00:15:58,960to himself36400:15:58,960 –> 00:15:59,760in Christ36500:16:01,520 –> 00:16:04,719So when the wrath is poured out36600:16:04,719 –> 00:16:06,880and when the wrath is absorbed36700:16:08,400 –> 00:16:08,880God36800:16:09,760 –> 00:16:10,799bears36900:16:10,799 –> 00:16:12,000the wrath37000:16:12,000 –> 00:16:12,640of God37100:16:13,280 –> 00:16:14,239That’s amazing37200:16:15,200 –> 00:16:16,320That’s the central mystery37300:16:16,320 –> 00:16:17,200of the gospel37400:16:17,200 –> 00:16:18,479That God37500:16:18,479 –> 00:16:19,200bears37600:16:19,200 –> 00:16:20,559the wrath of God37700:16:20,559 –> 00:16:22,000He pours it out37800:16:22,000 –> 00:16:22,799at the cross37900:16:22,799 –> 00:16:23,760He bears it38000:16:23,760 –> 00:16:24,559in himself38100:16:24,559 –> 00:16:25,359at the cross38200:16:27,280 –> 00:16:28,159God38300:16:28,159 –> 00:16:29,280reconciling the world38400:16:29,280 –> 00:16:30,080to himself38500:16:30,080 –> 00:16:31,280in Jesus38600:16:32,159 –> 00:16:32,719Christ38700:16:34,080 –> 00:16:35,280And that is why, friends,38800:16:35,280 –> 00:16:37,119the outpouring of the wrath38900:16:37,119 –> 00:16:38,159at the cross39000:16:38,159 –> 00:16:38,880is39100:16:38,880 –> 00:16:40,159the greatest39200:16:40,159 –> 00:16:42,080demonstration of love39300:16:42,080 –> 00:16:43,200that this world39400:16:43,200 –> 00:16:44,799has ever ever seen39500:16:44,799 –> 00:16:45,359or ever ever39600:16:46,239 –> 00:16:46,880will see39700:16:50,000 –> 00:16:51,520It’s the pouring out of the wrath39800:16:52,719 –> 00:16:53,919that leads to the peace39900:16:56,239 –> 00:16:57,200Now I end with this40000:16:57,840 –> 00:17:01,919Man is always trying to be wiser than God40100:17:01,919 –> 00:17:03,280and as we’ve seen40200:17:03,280 –> 00:17:04,880ever since the second century40300:17:05,680 –> 00:17:07,199there has been this revisionism40400:17:07,199 –> 00:17:08,000that’s always saying40500:17:08,000 –> 00:17:09,839Oh, we’re embarrassed about, you know,40600:17:09,839 –> 00:17:10,719God’s wrath40700:17:10,719 –> 00:17:11,359And we40800:17:11,359 –> 00:17:12,640It’s all over the Bible40900:17:12,640 –> 00:17:14,239so you can’t simply deny it41000:17:14,239 –> 00:17:15,680What what do you have to do therefor?41100:17:15,680 –> 00:17:16,719is explain it away41200:17:16,719 –> 00:17:18,000And so there’s an endless trail41300:17:18,000 –> 00:17:21,599of explaining it away41400:17:21,599 –> 00:17:23,680And the motive of this, I think,41500:17:23,680 –> 00:17:27,040is typically trying to make Christianity41600:17:27,040 –> 00:17:28,560more acceptable to people41700:17:28,560 –> 00:17:29,599to remove the things41800:17:29,599 –> 00:17:31,359that might be barriers to people41900:17:31,359 –> 00:17:32,560everybody loves peace42000:17:32,560 –> 00:17:33,359lots of people42100:17:33,359 –> 00:17:34,719are offended by the idea42200:17:34,719 –> 00:17:35,680of the wrath of God42300:17:35,680 –> 00:17:37,040so let’s reinterpret it42400:17:37,040 –> 00:17:38,000so that we can, you know,42500:17:38,000 –> 00:17:38,959reach more people42600:17:38,959 –> 00:17:40,239and make it more acceptable42700:17:40,239 –> 00:17:42,479Man’s always trying to lift the burden42800:17:42,479 –> 00:17:43,439as he sees it42900:17:44,880 –> 00:17:46,000And every time he tries43000:17:46,000 –> 00:17:46,959he makes things worse43100:17:49,119 –> 00:17:50,719One of the most famous43200:17:51,280 –> 00:17:53,199of these attempts at revision43300:17:53,199 –> 00:17:54,560in the last century was43400:17:55,199 –> 00:17:56,239I’m afraid to say this43500:17:56,239 –> 00:17:57,040I didn’t even say this43600:17:57,040 –> 00:17:58,160in the earlier services43700:17:58,160 –> 00:17:59,520a Scotsman oh dear43800:18:00,160 –> 00:18:02,880by the name of C.H. Dodd43900:18:02,880 –> 00:18:04,160and his work became44000:18:04,160 –> 00:18:06,000widely influential around the world44100:18:06,000 –> 00:18:07,280And this is what Dodd said44200:18:08,880 –> 00:18:10,239He said, The Wrath of God44300:18:10,239 –> 00:18:11,439means simply this44400:18:11,439 –> 00:18:12,400Yes, it’s in the Bible44500:18:12,400 –> 00:18:13,359but this is what it means44600:18:14,640 –> 00:18:16,400It’s not that God is offended44700:18:16,400 –> 00:18:17,760or angry towards sin44800:18:17,760 –> 00:18:19,680or that there is wrath for sinners44900:18:19,680 –> 00:18:20,959that comes from God Himself45000:18:20,959 –> 00:18:22,239No no no, this is what it means45100:18:22,239 –> 00:18:25,280He says, It is an inevitable process45200:18:26,560 –> 00:18:27,839of cause and effect45300:18:28,640 –> 00:18:29,680in a moral universe45400:18:29,680 –> 00:18:30,640that’s C.H. Dodd45500:18:32,000 –> 00:18:33,280So he’s saying to people45600:18:33,280 –> 00:18:35,040Now here’s the reinterpretation45700:18:35,040 –> 00:18:36,239Every time you see any reference45800:18:36,239 –> 00:18:36,959the Wrath of God45900:18:36,959 –> 00:18:38,880just understand this is what it means46000:18:38,880 –> 00:18:39,760It means that there is46100:18:39,760 –> 00:18:41,119an inevitable process46200:18:41,119 –> 00:18:41,680Inevitable46300:18:42,719 –> 00:18:43,760of cause and effect46400:18:44,640 –> 00:18:45,599in a moral universe46500:18:45,599 –> 00:18:46,400Now that’s much easier46600:18:46,400 –> 00:18:47,439to live with than a God46700:18:47,439 –> 00:18:48,640who is angry towards sin46800:18:50,400 –> 00:18:51,520That sounds very reasonable46900:18:51,520 –> 00:18:52,160That’s the sort of thing47000:18:52,160 –> 00:18:53,280that people can accept47100:18:54,319 –> 00:18:55,680You reap what you sow47200:18:56,640 –> 00:18:57,280If you do good47300:18:57,280 –> 00:18:58,560then good will come to you47400:18:59,280 –> 00:19:00,479If you do bad47500:19:00,479 –> 00:19:01,680then bad will come to you47600:19:01,680 –> 00:19:02,719Isn’t that reasonable?47700:19:02,719 –> 00:19:05,040There’s an inevitable process47800:19:05,040 –> 00:19:07,359of cause and effect47900:19:07,359 –> 00:19:09,359in a moral universe48000:19:10,719 –> 00:19:11,359Sounds great48100:19:12,640 –> 00:19:14,319Try telling that48200:19:14,319 –> 00:19:15,760to the thief on the cross48300:19:18,400 –> 00:19:19,599See, here’s this man48400:19:19,599 –> 00:19:20,719and he’s wasted his life48500:19:20,719 –> 00:19:21,439He’s been a thief48600:19:21,439 –> 00:19:23,280and now he’s at the end of his life48700:19:23,280 –> 00:19:24,959He’s in excruciating agony48800:19:24,959 –> 00:19:27,680He finds himself next to Jesus Christ48900:19:27,680 –> 00:19:28,800and what does he say?49000:19:28,800 –> 00:19:32,239Jesus, remember me49100:19:32,239 –> 00:19:34,400when you come into your kingdom49200:19:36,479 –> 00:19:38,479Now if CH Dodd is right49300:19:39,199 –> 00:19:40,800what is Jes us going to say to him?49400:19:42,239 –> 00:19:42,880Well, he’s going to say49500:19:42,880 –> 00:19:43,599something like this49600:19:43,599 –> 00:19:44,079He’s going to say49700:19:44,079 –> 00:19:45,280Well my friend, it’s a little late49800:19:45,280 –> 00:19:46,319for you to ask now49900:19:47,839 –> 00:19:48,880Don’t you understand50000:19:48,880 –> 00:19:50,800that there is an inevitable process50100:19:50,800 –> 00:19:51,839of cause and effect50200:19:51,839 –> 00:19:52,959in a moral universe50300:19:53,520 –> 00:19:54,560You reap what you sow50400:19:55,280 –> 00:19:56,079You’ve been a thief50500:19:56,719 –> 00:19:57,920You’re getting what you deserve50600:19:58,560 –> 00:19:59,359It’s inevitable50700:20:00,000 –> 00:20:01,359It’s an inevitable process50800:20:01,359 –> 00:20:02,560This is a moral universe50900:20:04,560 –> 00:20:06,079So you see here’s CH Dodd51000:20:06,079 –> 00:20:07,359trying to make the gospel51100:20:07,359 –> 00:20:08,880more acceptable to people51200:20:08,880 –> 00:20:09,599and actually51300:20:10,400 –> 00:20:11,599ends up with a message51400:20:11,599 –> 00:20:12,880which when you think it through51500:20:12,880 –> 00:20:14,959has no hope of peace with God51600:20:14,959 –> 00:20:16,079for sinners at all51700:20:18,239 –> 00:20:22,000No hope for sinners there51800:20:22,000 –> 00:20:23,040Reap what you sow51900:20:25,359 –> 00:20:28,160No, here is the hope for sinners52000:20:30,319 –> 00:20:32,719That between us52100:20:34,079 –> 00:20:35,520and the wrath of God52200:20:35,520 –> 00:20:36,800stands what?52300:20:36,800 –> 00:20:40,160The Cross of Jesus Christ52400:20:41,839 –> 00:20:43,359And at that cross52500:20:44,319 –> 00:20:47,520God absorbs the wrath of God52600:20:48,719 –> 00:20:50,400It’s poured out52700:20:51,359 –> 00:20:54,160Jesus uses the picture of a cup that’s drunk52800:20:54,160 –> 00:20:56,079and it’s drunk to the dregs52900:20:56,079 –> 00:20:58,880So that there isn’t even a little bit of wrath53000:20:58,880 –> 00:21:00,400left at the bottom of the cup53100:21:00,400 –> 00:21:01,599for those who are in him53200:21:02,880 –> 00:21:06,319That’s why he’s able to say to a thief on the cross53300:21:06,319 –> 00:21:08,479Today, you will be with me in paradise53400:21:08,479 –> 00:21:10,160because if the thief is in Christ53500:21:10,160 –> 00:21:11,599and Christ bears the wrath53600:21:12,239 –> 00:21:14,239Then there’s reconciliation with the Father53700:21:14,239 –> 00:21:15,359and there’s peace with God53800:21:17,760 –> 00:21:18,479Lose the wrath53900:21:20,560 –> 00:21:21,520and you lose the peace54000:21:23,520 –> 00:21:26,880So don’t you thank the Lord for this wonderful truth54100:21:26,880 –> 00:21:28,160that our risen Savior54200:21:29,359 –> 00:21:31,439who absorbed it all on the cross54300:21:31,439 –> 00:21:34,000and then said, It is finished54400:21:34,000 –> 00:21:35,119rose from the dead54500:21:36,239 –> 00:21:38,719and stands forever as the one54600:21:38,719 –> 00:21:41,359who through his death and resurrection54700:21:41,359 –> 00:21:44,719is able to bring us into peace with God54800:21:44,719 –> 00:21:46,719to forgive all our sins54900:21:46,719 –> 00:21:49,680and to give us his Holy Spirit55000:21:49,680 –> 00:21:51,439to save us from the wrath55100:21:51,439 –> 00:21:53,439to reconcile us to the father55200:21:53,439 –> 00:21:55,040to open the gate of Heaven55300:21:56,239 –> 00:21:57,839and to do everything that is needed55400:21:59,119 –> 00:21:59,839to bring us in55500:22:01,199 –> 00:22:02,719You’ve been listening to Open the Bible55600:22:02,719 –> 00:22:04,479with Pastor Colin Smith55700:22:04,479 –> 00:22:06,239and that completes both the message55800:22:06,239 –> 00:22:09,119which was overcoming evil with peace55900:22:09,119 –> 00:22:11,599and the series which was simply called56000:22:11,599 –> 00:22:14,959overcoming evil based on Romans chapter 1256100:22:15,680 –> 00:22:17,199if you’ve missed any of the series56200:22:17,199 –> 00:22:19,199or if you want to go back and listen again56300:22:19,199 –> 00:22:20,959You’ll find all of the series56400:22:20,959 –> 00:22:21,920at our website56500:22:21,920 –> 00:22:24,719www.openthebible.org.uk56600:22:25,359 –> 00:22:27,040You can also find the series56700:22:27,040 –> 00:22:28,800on your favourite podcast site56800:22:28,800 –> 00:22:31,119Go to any of the main podcast sites56900:22:31,119 –> 00:22:33,359and search for open the bible uk57000:22:34,239 –> 00:22:35,280At open the Bible57100:22:35,280 –> 00:22:37,520we welcome contact with our listeners57200:22:37,520 –> 00:22:38,800if you’ve been blessed by57300:22:38,800 –> 00:22:40,640Pastor Colin Smith’s teaching57400:22:40,640 –> 00:22:42,560and you’d like to reach out to us57500:22:42,560 –> 00:22:43,839you can write to us57600:22:43,839 –> 00:22:52,079at Open the Bible PO Box 1420 Cheltenham GL50 9PG57700:22:52,079 –> 00:23:00,479That’s Open the Bible PO Box 1420 Cheltenham GL50 9PG57800:23:00,479 –> 00:23:02,640Our address and telephone number57900:23:02,640 –> 00:23:04,079and email address are58000:23:04,079 –> 00:23:05,520available on our website58100:23:06,719 –> 00:23:08,479www.openthebible.org.uk58200:23:09,520 –> 00:23:12,160Open the Bible depends on the generous support58300:23:12,160 –> 00:23:12,880of our listeners58400:23:13,439 –> 00:23:15,680and if supporting Open the Bible58500:23:15,680 –> 00:23:18,239financially is something you’ve been thinking about58600:23:18,239 –> 00:23:19,839we have an offer for you this month58700:23:20,400 –> 00:23:22,719If you’re able to set up a new direct debit58800:23:22,719 –> 00:23:24,400to the work of Open the Bible58900:23:24,400 –> 00:23:27,359in the amount of £5 per month or more59000:23:27,359 –> 00:23:29,920or a one-off gift of £50 or more59100:23:29,920 –> 00:23:31,199We’d love to say thank you59200:23:31,199 –> 00:23:33,119by sending you three copies59300:23:33,119 –> 00:23:35,760of Pastor Colin Smith’s devotional59400:23:35,760 –> 00:23:38,319Green Pastures, Still Waters59500:23:38,319 –> 00:23:40,800Colin why did you write this devotional?59600:23:41,040 –> 00:23:43,199This goes back to the pandemic59700:23:43,199 –> 00:23:45,439and in these dark days59800:23:45,439 –> 00:23:47,439I guess, along with every other pastor59900:23:47,439 –> 00:23:49,199I was asking the question60000:23:49,199 –> 00:23:51,760what will help and encourage God’s people60100:23:51,760 –> 00:23:53,760to get through these difficult days?60200:23:53,760 –> 00:23:56,560And I turned to Psalm 2360300:23:56,560 –> 00:23:59,680and just found such joy and help60400:23:59,680 –> 00:24:02,479in mining the wonderful treasures60500:24:02,479 –> 00:24:05,520that are in this marvellous chapter of the Bible60600:24:06,079 –> 00:24:08,239And my colleague Tim Augustine60700:24:08,239 –> 00:24:10,640has now arranged that material60800:24:10,640 –> 00:24:13,199in the form of a 31 day devotional60900:24:13,199 –> 00:24:16,000and I’m just delighted that we’re able to offer this61000:24:16,560 –> 00:24:18,880Looking at the Lord Jesus Christ61100:24:18,880 –> 00:24:20,880through Psalm 2361200:24:20,880 –> 00:24:23,119will bring strength and encouragement61300:24:23,119 –> 00:24:24,880and peace and joy61400:24:24,880 –> 00:24:26,800and to do that for 31 days61500:24:26,800 –> 00:24:28,479to meditate on one of the best known61600:24:28,479 –> 00:24:30,640and best loved chapters in all of the Bible61700:24:30,640 –> 00:24:33,839and to get our eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus Christ61800:24:33,839 –> 00:24:35,680So if you need some encouragement61900:24:35,680 –> 00:24:37,680Green Pastures Still Waters62000:24:37,680 –> 00:24:39,680is going to be a great help to you62100:24:39,680 –> 00:24:41,760Well we’d love to send you three copies62200:24:41,760 –> 00:24:43,680of Pastor Colin Smith’s devotional62300:24:43,680 –> 00:24:46,000Green Pastures Still Waters62400:24:46,000 –> 00:24:49,520along with a special Open the Bible pen and bookmark62500:24:49,520 –> 00:24:52,239to say thank you for setting up a new direct debit62600:24:52,239 –> 00:24:53,920to the work of Open the Bible62700:24:53,920 –> 00:24:56,400in the amount of five pounds per month or more62800:24:56,400 –> 00:24:58,719or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more62900:24:59,439 –> 00:25:02,880Full details, terms, and conditions are on our website63000:25:03,520 –> 00:25:06,079Openthebible.org.uk63100:25:06,719 –> 00:25:09,359For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith63200:25:09,439 –> 00:25:10,479I’m David Pick63300:25:10,479 –> 00:25:15,839and I hope you’ll join us again next time63400:25:17,839 –> 00:25:21,839If you have a son or a daughter who has rebelled against you63500:25:21,839 –> 00:25:23,680you need to hear this message63600:25:24,560 –> 00:25:29,839Next time on Open the Bible