2 Peter 2:6: If By Turning The Cities Of Sodom And Gomorrah To Ashes He Condemned Them To Extinction, Making Them An Example

2 Peter 2:6

[6] If by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; (ESV)

There are many people who have a hard time dealing with a God who brings judgment that is so intense and complete against sinful people. In this verse the Apostle Peter is bringing to remembrance the account of Sodom and Gomorrah being completely annihilated by God. These cities were given to total depravity and lawlessness. God brought judgment that Peter says is an example of what is going to happen.

It is interesting to see that Peter is speaking of future judgment from the time that he was writing in the first century. Some of the people who have a hard time with God's judgment see God as being wrathful in the Old Testament, but loving and passive about our sins in the New Testament. Here in the New Testament, Peter emphasizes that this example of judgment for Sodom and Gomorrah is for the future.

One theological word that is helpful for us is "immutability." This word means unchanging. God's character and nature are unchanging, or immutable. God is a righteous judge. Psalm 7:11 says, "God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day." There is not a passage in the New Testament that nullifies God's character of judging sinful mankind.

What changes in the New Testament is not God's wrath against sinful mankind, but rather, what changes is where that wrath is poured out. The message of the gospel is that man looks to Jesus who paid for the sins we have committed. For the penitent believer, the judgment that is deserved was placed on Christ at the cross. Jesus pays the just penalty of sin for those who believe in him. 

God has never changed his opinion about our sinfulness. He hates our sin. He will judge all mankind for their sin. The penalty for our sin will either be transferred to Christ, or we will pay for it eternally in hell. Be sure that your sins are given to Christ. Thank him for his wonderful mercy.