God's Wrath, Not Man's

Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 602 Ratings

🗓️ 3 May 2026

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

While some popular streams of so-called Christianity claim that becoming a Christian means a care-free life, the New Testament is clear that Christians are likely to have more troubles. In this passage, the apostle Paul assumes Christians faithfully living in this fallen world will inevitably encounter evil against them. In this sermon on Romans 12:19–20 titled “God’s Wrath, Not Man’s,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds Paul’s teaching on the topic. Negatively, Christians are to respond to evil by not avenging. Positively, they are to give place to God’s wrath. But what do these things mean? Why should the Christian never seek personal vengeance and does this teaching support Christian pacifism? What about questions about the wrath of God and how are Christians to understand imprecatory prayers in light of this teaching regarding personal vengeance? In all these complex questions, Dr. Lloyd-Jones brings the Scriptures to bear in a cohesive manner by allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. Listen to this thought-provoking message as he challenges Christians to a distinct way of life in a world where they will encounter evil.

Transcript

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0:00.0	We test our love for Him, not only by loving one another, but also by testing our reaction
0:08.0	to the words which are to be found in Paul's Epistle to the Romans in chapter 12 and in
0:15.0	verses 19 and 20, verses 19 and 20 in the 12th chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Romans.
0:23.0	Dearly, beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place and wrath.
0:30.2	For it is written, vengeance is mine.
0:33.8	I will repay, saith the Lord.
0:37.1	Therefore, if an enemy hunger, him, if he thirst, give him drink.
0:43.5	For in so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
0:49.7	In other words, we are continuing our study of this last section of this most important
0:56.0	the 12th chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Romans. We found throughout the chapter
1:02.0	that the Apostle's great emphasis is this, that the whole purpose of doctrine is to lead to life,
1:09.0	to practice, to conduct, and to behavior.
1:13.6	And especially at a time like this, is it important that we should bear that in mind.
1:19.6	People are not ready to listen to what we've got to say, but they still are ready to listen to our lions.
1:26.6	And we find this as a motive running right through this chapter.
1:31.3	We are exalted to do these things not only for ourselves
1:35.3	and our own peace of mind and of heart and our own enjoyment of this salvation,
1:40.3	but we are called to do it still more
1:43.3	in order that we may truly represent the
1:46.7	Christian life to others and thereby attract people unto it.
1:51.1	You remember how Peter makes exactly the same point in his first epistle, second chapter,
1:56.3	verses 11 and 12.
	...

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