Romans 12:17-19 (KJV)

17. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Paul encourages Christians to live lives of grace, by "giving place" to wrath. In the original language, the little article "the" is before the word wrath. So Paul is saying give room to "the wrath." The Bible is emphatic that there is coming "a day of wrath" and regardless of your eschatology, one must agree that this is "the wrath" of our text.

1. The Day of God's Wrath Is a Day of Virtue
   "The Lord reigns for ever; he has established his throne for judgment. He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice" (Psalm 9:7-8). God is not always a God of immediate justice, but he is a God of ultimate justice.
   1. On that day God judges with authority . . . "before me every knee will bow" (Isaiah 45:23). Christ is called on that day "The Lamb of wrath" (Revelation 6:16).
   2. On that day God judges in holiness . . . "The Lord our God is holy" (Psalm 99:9). "In a world created by a sovereign and holy God, there must be a judgment, or else the fabric of the spiritual universe is torn to shreds" Fred Kuehner.
   3. On that day God judges upon truth . . . "His eyes are on the ways of men: he sees their every step. There is no place where evildoers can hide" (Job 34:21). Both Daniel and John foretell the opening of "books" (Daniel 7:10; Revelation 20:12).
      1. This judgment is personal . . . "everything is laid bare to him to whom we must give an account" (Hebrews 4:13).
      2. This judgment is painful . . . "The last thing I want is to be subject to the unremitting gaze of a holy God" (French Philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre).
2. The Day of God's Wrath Is a Day of Victory
   Vengeance is God's prerogative. He alone knows the heart. He alone knows truth. The thought of standing before a holy God should cause one to tremble with fear. It is only when a sinner understands the holy vengeance of God will he ever see the beauty of the grace of God. The wrath of God is revealed in its full awfulness at Gethsemane and on Golgotha. "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry" (Psalm 2:12).
   "For the great day of his wrath is come: who shall be able to stand?" (Revelation 6:17).