The Unrighteous: Knowledgeable and Unsubmissive. Romans 1:18-32

The Denial

Romans 1:18–23 ESV

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Gods’ wrath is displayed, is going to be displayed. It happens on the unrighteous. Because God is a just God, there must be punishment for sin. Jesus, in His death, made a way for us to be spared from Gods’ wrath, we become righteous. “For the just shall live by faith.” The section we cover tonight describes those who are not justified by faith.

The truth is suppressed. What is the truth? Made, owned, accountable, judged. This is why the creation story matters. Man sins, we are held accountable.

Everything people need to know is obvious. God exists, He is in charge, and everyone knows it. Without excuse.

This truth is denied and suppressed. God is not talked about today in public culture. The truth of a Creator is exchanged for the lie of evolution, and then the whole created order of accountability is thrown off. Made, owned, ruled, held accountable.

The Consequence

Romans 1:24–27 ESV

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

Paul says the same thing twice. God “gives them up.” Lets them do what they want to do

Because of the denial and rejection, God literally handed them over, giving them up to their own decision-making and desires.

Women and men exchange natural relationships. Homosexuality. Actions that should have shame are now shameless, because we have denied the Creator and His accountability.

They have received due penalty. Eternal judgment for what they have done. Actions have appropriate consequences.

Galatians 6:7 ESV

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

Do not let people tell you that Scripture is silent on these issues. It is not, it speaks loudly. There are consequences.

Mankind going their own way is harmful to them.

Though they know…

Romans 1:28–32 ESV

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

“Given up.” Turned over to the authorities, forsaken. “I have been patient, but yet you keep pushing. You want it so bad, go and have it.”

Debased mind. Lit. unqualified or disqualified. A mind that is unable to make good decisions.

To do what ought not to be done. Saying things that have no business being said, doing things that have no place being done.

V 29-31. They are evidenced by these things. Discuss them.

They know the truth. They reject it, make their own truth. And they praise those who practice them.

Application

It all starts with Creation, knowing who the Creator is, and worshipping Him as such.

John 3:19 “19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”

We, who stand for truth, who live in the light, will not be loved for our stance on truth.

John 16:33 “33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

This is our hope, our encouragement to stand on truth. Have confidence in the Bible and what it says.