Just Keeping It Real (Part 10)

Just Keeping It Real

King James Version Chapter 1

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For 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:

Introduction

As I listen to some people and have the opportunity to converse with others, I have learned that many are relying upon a false hope that there is nothing awaiting them when they have run out of time here on planet earth. Many simply believe that they will just cease to exist or perhaps be able to offer an excuse for why they rejected God’s only plan of salvation for fallen humanity—faith in Jesus Christ.

These people seem to be banking on the notion that if God does indeed exist and judges them, that His judgement will be based on a curve or a comparison with others. After all, they may say, “I’m not as bad as so many others are.” Or, “I think I’m a good person…”

However, our text today makes it clear that God does not grade on a curve nor is His judgment dependent upon what others may or may not have done. Everybody is responsible for their own souls and those who have rejected God’s gracious gift of salvation, will be “Without Excuse.”

V. 18 - “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”

The Apostle Paul here declares that God’s holy wrath has already been revealed from heaven in opposition to all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Notice that the object of God’s wrath is against humanity. Not fallen angels (their fate is irreversible) or any other creature, but fallen man because of sin.

What is wrath? I am so glad you asked. Wrath means divine punishment based on God’s angry judgment against someone. It is a position that you do not want to be in.

One might ask, “How has God revealed His wrath?” I would quickly direct you to the Noahic Flood, where God destroyed all but eight souls. Why did He do it? Genesis 6:5-7 [11-13], informs us:

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (6) And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. (7) And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.”

“The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. (12) And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. (13) And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.”

God’s wrath is also revealed in sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7) ; Sodom and Gomorrah; and Israel’s Babylonian captivity. Lastly, it will be seen in the Great Tribulation revealed in the book of Revelation. Our text today speaks to the critical importance of believing the word of God, which is God’s special revelation to man. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

In other words, God is not hiding the truth from man. In fact, the opposite is true. He has documented and bound it together in a book and in a language you can understand, and has sent forth preachers to every generation to herald its message, so that all would be held accountable and without excuse. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

Furthermore, Paul says in this verse that the charge against those who suffered the wrath of God is that they “…hold the truth in unrighteousness;” or “suppress the truth.” Suppress means - to prevent someone from doing something by restraining or hindering— ‘to prevent, to hinder, to restrain, to keep from.’

This can be seen in the field of adoption. Oftentimes the identity of the biological parents(s) is suppressed or withheld from the child. In the same manner, people are aware of the truth of the Bible, but for various and sundry reasons choose suppress it. However, if they ever have to testify in court, they will be obliged to place their hand on the Bible (the book of truth) and sware to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

What Paul is saying is that the unrighteous acts of men serve to restrain or suppress the spread of the truth of God. This practice is extremely prevalent in our schools and universities. It is no wonder that our culture is sinking deeper and deeper into immorality.

V. 19, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.”

Here Paul gives the reason for the claims that he just made. Because what can be known about God is evident (plain or obvious) to them. Because God has shown it to them. The psalmist declares in Psalm 19:1-3,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (2) Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. (3) There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.”

“Although there is a much about God that men cannot know as Job 11:7 tells us. Nevertheless, there is a great deal that men can know. Men can know enough to be led to God. This is the whole point of this passage: men know about God, but they do not worship Him as God. They have a sense of God, but they suppress the sense, trying to get rid of it.”1

[1] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1996). Romans (p. 26). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

As the crowning achievement of God’s creation, man is most capable of reasoning and being able to grasp that God exists. Man can even grasp abstract ideas and patterns. He is able to look up in the sky and discern seasons and weather patterns. Through science, man is trying to figure out the complexities of the human DNA code. Nevertheless, man chooses to not know God. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

V.20, “For 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:”

Here Paul makes his point by appealing to creation. In other words, he goes back to Genesis 1:1. I am convinced that one of the reasons God created man last is that it would be indisputable that everything was already here when he arrived. Adam knew that he himself made nothing that was made. And, therefore, man has no excuse for not knowing, acknowledging, and obeying God.

Creation reveals God. The universe, its presence and its nature, declares God. Looking at nature, man sees more than the fact that God is the Creator, they can see the invisible things of God: His eternal power, supreme intelligence; the solar system, the photosynthesis of plants, the complexity of the human body with its various system (respiratory, circulatory, nervous, reproduction, etc.

Because of these things and more, the evidence is clear that God exists and is the source of all things that exist both visible and invisible. As Paul writes in Colossians 1:16-17,

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (17) And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

Conclusion

The truth that God exists is so abundantly clear that man is without excuse. Furthermore, the fact that God has already revealed from heaven His holy wrath against all ungodliness and unrighteousness (sin) of men, who because of their sin suppress His truth. Let this server as a warning that you have been told. Necessity is laid upon me to tell you the naked truth:

“You Gonna’ Run Out of Time.” And when you run out of time, “You’re Goin’ Somewhere.” So, “You Better Get An Understanding, because “When You’re Out, You’re Out.” Possessing all of this world’s riches will not resolve your “Spiritual Insolvency.” Therefore, “Don’t Be a Fool,” because if you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you are “Condemned Already.” So, “Make the Life Choice,” and trust the “Enduring Word of God,” because, you will be “Without Excuse.” Amen Somebody. Just Keeping it real.