Romans 1:18-23
The Wrath of God upon the unrighteousness of Man
Scripture reading –
Rom. 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Pray
Intro
√ Our study last week ended with Paul’s declaration that the righteousness of God is acquired by faith.
“The just shall live by faith.”
That of course is one of the main themes running throughout the book of Romans.
That is, that right standing before God is obtained by our faith in God, not by our good works.
However, before a person can come to God in faith, that person must first recognize their need for the righteousness, which God provides.
Ap. Ever try and witness to someone who doesn’t recognize his or her need for a savior?
We come to see our need for God’s righteousness when we come to understand that we are under the judgement of God!
In the next 3 chapters Paul does a thorough job proving that the whole human race stands condemned before God and is helpless and hopeless apart from God’s Grace.
√ We begin with our text this morning in which Paul lays down an iron clad argument to prove that God’s condemnation of Mankind is justified.
For God would never condemn anyone without just cause.
Here Paul gives three solid reasons that God’s judgement and condemnation is just.
For suppressing God’s Truth (vs. 18)
Rom. 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
√ This verse sets the tone for the entire section – chapter 1 through chapter 3.
The righteousness of God vs. the unrighteousness of Man
Paul says that God’s wrath is revealed, literally “being revealed” against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.
Ungodly = lacking proper respect for God
Unrighteous = wickedness
Very important point; note that God’s wrath is revealed due to the behavior of people!
That is, God hates sin and judges it, but loves sinners and desires their salvation.
Remember – Jesus came into the world to save sinners! People misrepresent the Lord when they parade around with signs reading…
“God hates homosexuals”
…that’s simply not Biblical. God hates the sin but loves the sinner.
Ap. Aren’t you glad that’s the Truth!
√ Paul’s first argument to show that God’s condemnation of Mankind is justified is that people have willfully suppressed the Truth about God.
“suppress” = “holding down”
That is, they continually hold down the truth about God.
Ex. These are people who know that God exists, but they willfully chose to ignore Him.
Why would anyone do that?
Because once a person acknowledges that God exists, then that person must acknowledge that he/she has an obligation to God!
For the person who is living in sin – in willful disobedience to God – it’s a whole lot easier to live with your sin if you convince yourself that there is no God.
Ex. Ever notice that people who are caught up in some kind of sin seek out others who are also?
Drug culture – used to baffle me that people who had absolutely nothing else in common with one another would seek each other out to get high.
Why? Easier to justify your sin if others are involved.
√ So, Paul points out that God is completely justified to condemn the world because Mankind has chosen to suppress the Truth.
For ignoring God’s revelation (vs. 19-20)
Rom. 1:19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
Rom. 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
√ The second reason Paul tells us that human beings are under God’s condemnation is that they have ignored the revelation of His Nature through His Creation.
Paul’s point is that no matter who you are, or what tribe you are from, or language you speak…
…everyone should be able to look at the Creation and come to the conclusion that…
God exists
Know something about His Character
Worship Him in response to the Light of Creation
Why?
Paul says because God has “shown it to them” – vs. 19
In what way – through His Creation.
√ Understand that God is invisible to the physical eye
Jesus said that…
“God is Spirit” – John 4:24
And in John 6:46…
“Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father.”
Yet, as Paul tells us in vs. 20 God’s invisible attributes (His Nature) are clearly seen in the things, which He has, made.
Psa. 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Psa. 19:2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.
Psa. 19:3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.
Psa. 19:4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
Therefore, people are without excuse because what may be known of God is so clearly seen in the Creation.
√ What can we know about God by observation of the Creation? What if we didn’t have the Bible – what could we know about God from His Creation?
Ex. S.E.T.I.
Infinite: since the beginning of human history people have peered into the sky and wondered what how far the heavens stretch?
What we know of the universe is that it is infinite in its size – that is, there is no end to it!
The vastness of space declares to us that God is infinite – He has no beginning and no end.
Unsearchable: it’s interesting to note that early evolutionary thought believed that when science could finally understand microbiology that they would discover it to be very simple in it’s design.
That because they recognized that complexity in living organisms was a strong argument for the existence of a Creator!
Guess what? As scientist delve into the mysteries of living organisms they have found that the more they learn, the more they realize they don’t know!
That is, the Creation is so intricate and so complex in design that with every new discovery another mystery is revealed!
Ex. Once believed that atoms were the smallest building blocks in the universe. Then came the discovery of electrons, neutron, and protons. Now quarks and colors, etc. J
The point is that if the Creation is unsearchable – that is, never coming to a complete knowledge – then the God Who created it beyond the full comprehension of Man!
Beautiful: the beauty of Creation has no evolutionary impetus. Gordon Stainforth wrote;
“It is difficult, when looking at such extravagant inventiveness, to avoid the question: why is so much of nature so unnecessarily beautiful?”
Rather, it is a revelation of God’s heart toward Man; which other of God’s creatures would appreciate a full moon on a clear night? Or the multi colored sunset, or the riches hues of gems stones?
Creative: The mystery of the DNA code, which is designed in such a way as to, provide an endless expression of His creative genius.
Ex. Eye color
If the evolutionary model were fact we would expect to find a dull and common pattern in spices as they respond to the same environmental stimulus.
Ex. Aerodynamic cars – they all look the same!
Eternal: God could not be created if He is the Creator! Therefore, God must be before His creation. That is, He was, He is, and He always will be.
Loving: Perhaps the most awesome revelation of God’s Nature/Character is that He is a loving God.
“God is Love” 1 John 4:8
Ex. Evolution is based upon the principle of self-preservation, which does not explain the self-sacrifice we see demonstrated throughout the animal kingdom and most especially among humans.
Ex. Winston Churchill’s mom
√ So, Mankind is without excuse as he stands before God!
He is guilty and deserving of condemnation because he has chosen to ignore God’s revelation of Himself even though God has made it plain to him that He is and that He is worthy of Man’s worship.
Note that their condemnation is based not on their rejection of Christ of whom they have not heard, but on their sinning against the light of God’s revelation, which they do have.
Ap. The Pygmy in Africa
If a person seeks to know the God of Whom the Creation testifies God will make Himself known!
Ex. Cornelius
For perverting God’s glory (vs. 21-23)
Rom. 1:21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Rom. 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
Rom. 1:23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
√ Paul builds upon his previous thoughts…
People's suppression of the Truth is seen in their rejecting the clear evidence of God as their Creator and now seen in their perversion of that knowledge into idolatry.
√ Willful perversion
“Knew” in vs. 21 = “ginoska” experiential knowledge
Knowledge such as Adam and Eve had before and after the Fall.
We’re not told how long the knowledge of God continued before it was perverted…
…the key however here is that People knew God by personal experience and chose to worship a false god!
Ex. Clue perhaps in Genesis 11 – God came down to see their work of idolatry – personal knowledge?
Man can’t claim ignorance!
√ They turned from the purpose for which God had made them.
To glorify Him for Whom He is
To thank Him for what He had done
Therefore…
Their thinking became “futile” (lit. “worthless”)
Their hearts became “darkened” (no longer able to recognize or receive the Truth)
When Truth is rejected in time the ability to recognize and receive Truth is impaired.
Ref. John 3:19-20
√ Vs. 22 – when truth is rejected people become stupid!
“stupid” = yep, that’s what the Greek means!
How can Paul be so bold as to say that these people become stupid?
Look at what they worship!
Ex. Images made of stone, wood and metal made to look like…
People
Animals
Bugss
Ref. Isa. 44:9-20
Ap. Christian – does your life reflect the purpose of which He made you?
Do you glorify Him and thank Him?
Close
√ God loves us and He has demonstrated it by the gift of His Son.
Shall we not then honor Him for Who He is?
Shall we not then glorify Him for what He has done?