FAQs Mondays: How Does a Sinner Escape the Wrath of God?

Last week, we answered the question, "What happens if we can't keep the commandments?." You can view that post here.  This week we answer the question, "How does a sinner escape the wrath of God?"

What does God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse, due to us for sin?

To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requires of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward and ordinary means where by Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption.  Paul reminded the Ephesian elders that he went from house to house, "testifying both to Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21).  When asked how one is saved, Paul and Silas replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:31).  Elsewhere Paul states, "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30).

What is faith in Christ?

Faith in Jesus Christ is saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, trusting him to forgive our sins, and guide us to eternal joy on the basis of his divine power and atoning death.  Jesus said, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" (John 6:35).  John states, "but to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).    Paul said that he endured whatever came his way so that he could gain Christ "and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes form the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith" (Phil. 3:9).  He also said,

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified (Gal. 2:15-16).

Hebrews 10:39 states, "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls."

What is repentance unto life?

Repentance unto life is a saving grace, by which a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it to God with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.  The Lord described repentance in this way, " and rend your hearts and not your garments.  Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love" (Joel 2:13).  Acts 2:37 says, "Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"  Paul states, "and, [you] having been set free from sin, have become slaves to righteousness" (Rom. 6:18).  Paul reminds,

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.  For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment!  At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter (2 Cor. 7:10-11).

Summary

So we have learned that in order to escape sin, God requires that we turn away from sin and place our faith in Christ.  In addition, we learned how to define faith and repentance.  We also saw that God has appointed means to communicate the benefits of redemption to us.  Next week, we will answer the question, "How does God reveal  the benefits of redemption?"