HOW THE WORLD WALKED AWAY FROM GOD
READ ROMANS 1:18-32
This morning I would like to focus our attention on the fact that man, in his rejection of God and God's truth, becomes a picture of perversion and the object of God's wrath. This section of Romans begins to establish the sinfulness of mankind universally, and the fact that he is found guilty before a Holy God. A person will never come to salvation without first understanding the reality of sin in their life, and the subsequent wrath of God that sin brings upon them. Yes, "all have sinned" and "the wages of sin is death."
vs 18-20, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness: 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."
vs. 18 Paul begins his indictment by establishing that God’s wrath is impending against humanity. The word translated as "wrath" has the sense of His righteous anger. It is being revealed from heaven because of the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Specifically, it is because men “hold the truth in unrighteousness.” The word translated as "hold" has the sense to ‘hold down,’ to ‘suppress,’ or to ‘hinder.’ The truth is that sinful men in fact know the truth of God in their heart but suppress it. They are aware of the Word of God but suppress it, whether through the ruse of ‘separation of church and state’ in the public sector, by attacking the integrity thereof in the academic world or simply ignoring it altogether personally. People willingly deceive themselves and others. Mankind is not only sinful from the very beginning but perjures themselves before God in their hearts by suppressing the truth.
vs. 19 Even more specifically, sinful man has an innate knowledge of God in his heart, yet he has suppressed that truth. That innate, inborn knowledge of God is made stronger by the witness of creation. Psalms 19:1 states, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork." The majesty, beauty, order, and precision of the creation reveal there is a righteous, orderly, majestic God. Mankind knows this in the heart yet has suppressed this truth. The Apostle John, declared in John 1:9 concerning Christ, "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Such suppression of even inborn truth has magnified the wrath of God against mankind.
vs. 20 To further strengthen his case, Paul points out that the “invisible things" of His spiritual attributes—His righteousness, holiness, and glory—are obvious from the creation itself. The nature of the Righteous Judge is revealed from His creation. Psalm 97:6 states, "The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the people see His glory." Those attributes of God “are clearly seen” from His handiwork. The word translated as “clearly seen” has the sense of being ‘perceived’ or ‘understood.’ The perfection of the creation itself reveals God’s eternal power and Godhead. Ungodly men understand this in their hearts even if they suppress it through the pretense of evolution. Because of this Paul writes "...so that they are without excuse.” The word translated as "without excuse" has the sense of being ‘indefensible’ legally and judicially. Paul thus continues to lay the legal foundation for the coming indictment of all mankind—the whole world is guilty before God.
Read the following sections and study them carefully, and you will see how man has walked a road of degradation, and now we find ourselves mired in a cesspool of hideous sin including abortion, homosexuality, and transgender lifestyles.
*Read and study verses 21-23.
*Read and study verses 24-27.
*Read and study verses 28-32.
Do your best to follow a path of honoring God and living a life of holiness before the Lord.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. How does sin impact your life and your ability to earn eternal life?
2. Are your sins “under the blood” of the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you know you are right with God?
3. What do you see happening in the world today that demonstrates how the world has walked away from God?
4. Do you believe God judges sin, and if so, how does He judge it presently and eternally?