Romans 1:18-32
Q.1. What makes our sins so abhorrent to God? How will He treat those who reject the truth? What characterizes the sins of humanity? – (Rom.1:18-23)
God is holy. He knows that since sin entered the world, all without exception are sinners. What makes God wrathful? It is man’s dishonest tampering with and suppression of the truth – 18 the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse (Rom.1:18-20). This maligning of the truth has led to futile speculations, baseless assertions, foolish substitutes, and darkened hearts and minds (see Rom.1:21-23). The Truth of God has been exchanged for theories, and ‘saviours’ who have no power to save.
Q.2. Does God stop sinners in their downward spiral? How far will people drift from the truth? What will God do about it? – (Rom.1:24-28)
God has given man a free-will, so allows this downward spiral – 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonoured among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever (Rom.1:24-25). This degradation will not end until the time ordained by God, when the children of God will be revealed, and creation will be set free from its slavery and corruption [Rom.8:18-21). Until then – … God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper (Rom.1:26-28).
Q.3. How far will people descend beyond God’s boundaries? How will they treat God and others? What is their attitude toward others who join in such rebellion? – (Rom.1:28-32)
The task of the church is to declare the Gospel, and the ordinance of God, so the Holy Spirit can bring conviction of sin (see Rom.1:32 c.f. Jn.16:7-11). However, the Bible paints an ugly picture of the Endtimes conditions that the righteous will have to face – 28 … God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful (Rom.1:28-31). Not content with such arrogance against God, the ungodly will – … not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them (Rom.1:32). They overlook the fact that we will all stand before the Judgment Seat of God ALONE. However, God is in control of all the events and outcomes. Those who turn against God will be using their prerogative to choose their own everlasting destiny.