The Guiding Power of Divine Wrath
According to the provided excerpts, believers experience fear of God's righteous wrath not so much out of a dread of punishment, but as a way of acknowledging their responsibility and the need to adhere to His commandments. This fear is seen as a crucial instrument for spiritual formation—it not only prevents sin but also promotes a gradual transition toward voluntary virtuous behavior. In other words, the fear of God serves as a guide for believers, reminding them that every deviation from His decrees results in punishment, namely the manifestation of His righteous anger.As noted in one of the texts:"In fearing retribution, we must be cautious not to do anything against His will. When we sin, God sometimes becomes angry and at other times endures for a long while, awaiting our repentance. He displays His anger and righteous judgment so that we may come to our senses and correct our ways, rather than continue in sin." (source: link txt)This perspective instills in believers a deep sense of reverence and responsibility before God, which in turn motivates them to strive for a life founded on virtues and repentance. Another excerpt emphasizes that the more a person reveres and fears God's righteous anger, the more diligently they avoid sin, having grasped the true essence of virtue and the necessity of living according to divine commandments:"The more a believer reveres and fears God's righteous anger, the more he strives to avoid sins. This fear enables him to progressively grasp the true nature of virtue and to pursue a life in accordance with the commandments. A believer knows that only through sincere submission and repentance can he achieve union with God." (source: link txt)Thus, the fear of God's righteous anger among believers is directly intertwined with their religious understanding: it is not merely an object of thoughtless terror, but an important spiritual guide leading to self-control, repentance, and an understanding of God's justice and mercy. This approach underscores that God's anger has a corrective function, one that contributes to spiritual growth and the development of genuine love for God.Supporting citation(s):"In fearing retribution, we must be cautious not to do anything against His will. When we sin, God sometimes becomes angry and at other times endures for a long while, awaiting our repentance. He displays His anger and righteous judgment so that we may come to our senses and correct our ways, rather than continue in sin." (source: link txt)"The more a believer reveres and fears God's righteous anger, the more he strives to avoid sins. This fear enables him to progressively grasp the true nature of virtue and to pursue a life in accordance with the commandments. A believer knows that only through sincere submission and repentance can he achieve union with God." (source: link txt)