Good Morning Friends,
“The wrath of God is being revealed from
heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth
by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them,
because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world
God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been
clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without
excuse.” (Romans 1:18-20)
God’s punishment awaits those who do not turn
to Christ for forgiveness and salvation. That is the consistent message of the
New Testament. In this section of Romans, Paul suggests that “men are without
excuse.” Mankind brings God’s judgment on ourselves by our actions. Paul reveals
some of the reasons that motivate God’s judgment to the Romans. It’s
interesting to look at the several statements of causation that are found in
Romans 1:18-32.
“Since what may be known about God is plain
to them.” (Romans 1:19) Mankind brings on God’s judgment by being unwilling to
look at or accept the clear testimony of the world to God’s existence.
“Therefore God gave them over in the sinful
desires of their hearts.” (Romans 1:24) Mankind knew God, but did not glorify
Him. Mankind exchanged worship of the true God for worship of images man
himself created.
“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful
lusts.” (Romans 1:26) Mankind chose to follow a lie and rejected the truth of
God. Man chose to worship the created, rather than the Creator.
“Since they did not think it worthwhile to
retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind.” (Romans
1:28) Mankind did not think that worshiping and serving God was worth it, so
God let them make that choice and suffer its consequences.
It’s the choices mankind has made that result
in God’s judgment. It’s the rejection of God and His truth that start the
downward path toward the destruction that is the natural consequence of that
decision.
And the opposite is also true – it is the
acceptance of God and His truth that start the upward path toward the blessed
eternity that is the supernatural consequence of that decision. God, in His
wisdom, has decided to give man that choice.
His, by Grace,
Steve
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