The inspiration for my poem “Children Of Wrath” came in fragments over the course of about a year. It was very much a combination of opinions that I was hearing from various different people that got me thinking.
One opinion I kept hearing expressed was the idea that every human being on Earth is a “Child of God” and that everyone created is automatically God’s child from birth. As appealing as this thought is, it’s not actually Biblically correct. The Bible tells us very clearly that we’re all born separated from God due to the issue of sin and that we’re actually “children of wrath.” It’s only when we repent and accept that Jesus paid for our sin on the Cross that we then become a child of God.
We read in the first few verses of Ephesians 2 that before we became Christians, we were all “dead in trespasses and sins” and “were by nature children of wrath.” This shows us clearly that although we had physical life we didn’t have spiritual life until we accepted Jesus as our Saviour. John 1:12 also tells us,
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
We see the same truth expressed in John 3 when Jesus is talking to Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees and rulers of the Jews. Jesus explains to Nicodemus that for anyone to see the Kingdom of God they must be born again. Nicodemus goes on to ask how a person can be born when they are already old and we read Jesus’ answer in verses 5-7 where He says,
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”
Jesus’ words here show us that there’s a very big difference between having physical life and having spiritual life. He also draws great attention to the topic of sin and each individual’s need for repentance. It’s not an easy or popular subject to discuss but it’s extremely important as the salvation of our souls relies upon it.
Another opinion I kept hearing which influenced this poem was on the subject of Hell. I’ve often heard people ask the question, “If God’s such a ‘loving’ God, why does He send people to Hell?” This viewpoint is very upside down because the truth is, God doesn’t send anyone to Hell! We send ourselves. As a result of sin, we’re already on the road to Hell through our own doing and He’s the One who came to divert our course!
The Bible makes it very clear that God doesn’t want us to face Him as our Judge but rather accept Him as our Saviour. This is why Jesus paid for our sins on the Cross. Romans 6:23 tells us,
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.”
We understand from this verse that through our sin we have all earned death for our soul and separation from God. God’s love and provision of grace however is wonderfully evident throughout the Bible and as 2 Peter 3:9 explains,
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
Christ’s death on the Cross was His sacrifice of love on our behalf and He has made a way for everyone to be forgiven and reconciled to God. It’s a free gift and provision for all and so the question is not, “Why would a loving God send anyone to Hell?” Rather, the question is really, “Why would anyone choose Hell over a loving God?”
With this question at the forefront of my mind and my desire for people to know Jesus as their Saviour burning in my heart, I felt inspired to write my poem, “Children Of Wrath.”
May I talk with you a moment? Let us reason now together,One opinion I kept hearing expressed was the idea that every human being on Earth is a “Child of God” and that everyone created is automatically God’s child from birth. As appealing as this thought is, it’s not actually Biblically correct. The Bible tells us very clearly that we’re all born separated from God due to the issue of sin and that we’re actually “children of wrath.” It’s only when we repent and accept that Jesus paid for our sin on the Cross that we then become a child of God.
We read in the first few verses of Ephesians 2 that before we became Christians, we were all “dead in trespasses and sins” and “were by nature children of wrath.” This shows us clearly that although we had physical life we didn’t have spiritual life until we accepted Jesus as our Saviour. John 1:12 also tells us,
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
We see the same truth expressed in John 3 when Jesus is talking to Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees and rulers of the Jews. Jesus explains to Nicodemus that for anyone to see the Kingdom of God they must be born again. Nicodemus goes on to ask how a person can be born when they are already old and we read Jesus’ answer in verses 5-7 where He says,
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”
Jesus’ words here show us that there’s a very big difference between having physical life and having spiritual life. He also draws great attention to the topic of sin and each individual’s need for repentance. It’s not an easy or popular subject to discuss but it’s extremely important as the salvation of our souls relies upon it.
Another opinion I kept hearing which influenced this poem was on the subject of Hell. I’ve often heard people ask the question, “If God’s such a ‘loving’ God, why does He send people to Hell?” This viewpoint is very upside down because the truth is, God doesn’t send anyone to Hell! We send ourselves. As a result of sin, we’re already on the road to Hell through our own doing and He’s the One who came to divert our course!
The Bible makes it very clear that God doesn’t want us to face Him as our Judge but rather accept Him as our Saviour. This is why Jesus paid for our sins on the Cross. Romans 6:23 tells us,
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.”
We understand from this verse that through our sin we have all earned death for our soul and separation from God. God’s love and provision of grace however is wonderfully evident throughout the Bible and as 2 Peter 3:9 explains,
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
Christ’s death on the Cross was His sacrifice of love on our behalf and He has made a way for everyone to be forgiven and reconciled to God. It’s a free gift and provision for all and so the question is not, “Why would a loving God send anyone to Hell?” Rather, the question is really, “Why would anyone choose Hell over a loving God?”
With this question at the forefront of my mind and my desire for people to know Jesus as their Saviour burning in my heart, I felt inspired to write my poem, “Children Of Wrath.”
Let’s put aside our differences and pause.
Let’s promise to each other that we speak in love and kindness.
I come with no agenda but to share a higher cause.
So often it is said that “We are all God’s little children,”
The thought of Hell makes many scoff or laugh
But I am here to share with you the Truth that we’ve been given;
By nature we are sinful and we’re all children of wrath.
Created in God’s image, yes but fallen through rebellion,
We turned away and chose our degradation.
The will of man rejected God and severed our communion
So now instead of fellowship we’re born in separation.
Spiritually dead to God, we do not serve our Maker.
The intents of the heart are full of “self.”
Although we were intended to honour our Creator,
We chose to turn our back on Him and live to serve ourself.
None can claim their innocence, it’s clear that we are sinful,
The truth of our demise we can’t erase.
For if we say “I have no sin,” we make our God a liar!
All have fallen short and must receive His gift of grace.
This is why our Saviour came in reconciliation!
Christ died upon the Cross to pay for sin.
Unto us a Child was born, God’s Gift was freely given!
His love has made a way that we might all return to Him.
Whoever should believe in Christ can now receive His pardon,
A Child of God has Jesus as a Friend!
Whoever has the Son has life, escaping condemnation,
Yet Jesus shows us clearly that we must be born again!
Born again in spirit by accepting Christ as Saviour,
For sinful man cannot be one with God.
By nature we are dead to Him for though our heart is beating,
We only have eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord!
“Good works” will never save us, this thought is a delusion!
The Law of God will make our conscience squirm!
No one can attain the mark or earn their soul’s salvation,
From dust our flesh was made and to the dust it will return.
But God has placed eternity within our very being,
Created so that we could dwell with Him.
We only need to view the Cross to see God’s righteous justice;
We must accept that Jesus paid the wages of our sin.
This act of love so wonderful will save us from all judgement!
Our fellowship with God He will restore,
For Jesus is the greatest Gift, through Him we know the Father!
Born again in spirit and a child of wrath no more!
There is no other way to God, no other name can save us,
For only Jesus died and rose again.
Please ask yourself wholeheartedly, “Do you know your Maker?”
He longs for you to know Him as your Saviour and your Friend.
He wishes none should perish but come to their salvation
When Angels sing for joy with great applaud!
Considering the glory that awaits for all His children,
Why would any soul choose Hell before their loving God?
Why would we reject His grace, His mercy and His pardon?
Estranged from God, alone and set apart?
Why choose a bitter destiny when we could have redemption?
Don’t waste another moment but receive Him in your heart!
His hand will be upon your life, His Spirit will anoint you!
Become who He intended you to be.
Enjoy the full, abundant life of knowing Christ as Saviour!
Become a child of God for life and all eternity!
Ephesians 2:1-7
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
1 John 1:10
“If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
Romans 8:17
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Acts 4:12
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Malachi 3:16-18
“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another,
And the Lord listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear the Lord
And who meditate on His name.
“They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts,
“On the day that I make them My jewels.
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who serves him.”
Then you shall again discern
Between the righteous and the wicked,
Between one who serves God
And one who does not serve Him.”
Romans 9:6-8
“But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.”
Acts 17:30-31
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
1 Timothy 2:3-8
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”
1 John 3:1
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!”
John 14:6
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 3:36
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
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