Back in 1741, Jonathan Edwards preached that famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” His message was so powerful that before he finished preaching, people were moaning and crying out, “What must I do to be saved?” His sermon text was Deuteronomy 32:35, “The LORD says, ‘Am I not storing up these things, sealing them away in my treasury? I will take revenge; I will pay them back. In due time, their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive, and their destiny will overtake them.’” Edwards was speaking to people who thought God was too good to punish evildoers; they felt no need to humbly turn from their sins, follow Christ, and live righteously. Edwards’ message is still needed today. We are naïve if we think God does not frown upon evil. We are deluded if we think God will not judge people filled with hatred that inflict injustice and oppress others. While God does not always execute justice when or how we think He should, He does so wisely. And, yes, God will be especially severe against those who profess to be followers of Christ but who are, in fact, only using His name as a cloak to harbor racism, injustice, and oppression.
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Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
