The word wrath normally gives us images of anger and destruction. We think of wrath as evil and as wicked revenge. How can such an act be considered to be a lived out demonstration of an aspect of God’s love? God who is holy, does not and cannot do evil. If his wrath is an aspect of his love, then its intent and outcome must be constructive and positive. For all of what God does or directly causes motivates, stirs, and nurtures for goodness sake. His creative action in the formation of the universe was all good—in fact, very good (Genesis 1:31).
The dictionary meaning of wrath is: “strong vengeful anger or indignation; retributory punishment for an offense or a crime; divine chastisement.” This is taken from the Meridian-Webster Collegiate Dictionary. What then of God’s wrath as an act from a holy God? Perhaps we should look at God’s Wrath as a latter part of his disciplinary process that seeks to encourage behaviour change towards his view of what it means to be good—by His holy standards.
Let us begin with Scripture saying, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink;” (Romans 12:18-20, NKJV).
So as Christians, we need to focus on good and not “repay no one evil for evil,” (Romans 12:17). We leave vengeance to God. After all, “Does not the potter have power over the clay,” (Romans 9:21)? So God, the potter, has sovereign power over all humanity, the clay. Therefore he has the right of vengeance as creator in his implementation of his procedures to correct human behaviour and conduct..
Since he created all things and said they were good then very good, then his intentions clearly are good. Following the sin that entered the world, Scripture says, that he wants all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4) so clearly His intentions and actions of sustenance and even his goal for the end of life are all constructive. Thus it is reasonable to assume, God’s Wrath is all a part of this culminative set of activities that are constructive and positive and given to love. This love describes his divine state of peace, harmony, and justice.