Suppressing God's Truth results in Judgment

A Society that collectively suppresses God’s Truth is guilty and deserving of God’s Judgment (Rom 1:25)

Explanation: Paul gives the reason for God’s judgment. A Society that willingly accepts a lie instead of the truth places itself in a dangerous place. God has revealed Himself to the world through Creation, yet mankind chose to accept a lesser substitute. When a sizeable group within a community / country rejects God for who He is, they invite the judgment of God upon that group of people.

Illustrate: Teens and adults who abuse drugs. They have been told the truth about the dangers of drugs and alcohol for years through DARE and parents, yet they accept the lie that they are different. So when the consequences come, and they will come, they are deserving of them: loss of employment, destroyed families, prison time, poor health, etc.

Argument: This is not to say that believers should not be compassionate towards them - we should. We can still share the love of God with them through the Gospel and pray for God to lead them to repentance. The real point is that these people are responsible for the consequences of their actions. It really is their fault.

As a nation, we are collectively guilty before a Righteous and Holy God. We have murdered over 60 million lives in the worship of self. “I am my own person, and i can do whatever I want.” These actions, among others, invite the judgment of God upon all of us.

God’s Judgment on a Society is demonstrated by His delivering the wicked to Depravity (Rom 1:24, 26, 28)

Explanation: Three times in this short passage we encounter the chilling words, God gave them up. Words like this should bring great fear into those who are denying God’s authority, but these type of people don’t even give it a second thought. This is the language of Judgment and it is real an inescapable.

Paul is relating that the end result of suppressing God’s truth is The Almighty withdrawing His hand of protection. God can and does let a society go its own way.

Illustration: . Godly parents can and do impose punishment and restrictions when the child is within the home, but sometimes the child continually chooses the wrong path anyway. Regardless of the loving constraints, the path of sin is chosen. A parent can be driven to the point of tough love - they let the child go his or her own way and pray.

Argument: God does not cause the depraved behavior, but He does allow it to go its own way. What we are experiencing in America is God’s judgment on our nation as He removes His hand of protection. One indicative mark of a society under His judgment is a population that indulges in unrestrained sexual immorality, especially as it manifests in homosexual behavior.

Sexual activity in and of itself is part of the created order and it is good and healthy. God, however, has restricted expression of the sexual union to marriage between a man and a woman. Anything outside of that union is immoral and falls into the category of sin. Fornication and adultery are immoral expressions of a natural activity. Homosexual activity, by God’s definition, is an unnatural act. God designates it as an abomination and calls it a vile affection.

It does not matter that the SCOTUS has ruled in the Obergefell decision in 2015 to legalize homosexual marriage because God’s word remains unchanged. 10,000 court rulings cannot grant dignity to what God has declared in His unchanging Word to be an unnatural abomination. There is a difference between legal and moral. (Roe v. Wade legalized abortion on demand in the U.S., but it is still murder and always will be)

By God’s creative decree in the Garden there are two and ONLY two genders, male and female, It does not matter if our corrupt society calls gender a social construct, it does not matter if we recognize 57 genders, and it does not matter what pronouns a person chooses, there are only two that God recognizes. There are even those deluded individuals who call themselves Gay Christians but God is not mocked!

When God delivers a nation to Judgment it is evidenced by the casting off of moral restraint (Romans 1:29-31)

Explanation: Paul continues this segment on God’s judgement on a nation by setting forth a sin list. This is not an exhaustive list, but it contains behaviors and attitudes that are ungodly. By adding this vice list in the context of God’s delivering a group of people over to rebrobation, it is indicative of the widespread corruption that follows. It is not that these sins do not exist by themselves; they most certainly do. But when a nation throws off moral restraint by embracing the depravity of homosexuality it is like open season on all types of sinful behavior.

Argument: Homosexuality is not unforgivable. Repentance is possible. Paul shares this very hope in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 when he states “such were some of you.” But while homosexuality is not THE unforgivable sin, it is a sin that is in a different category in that it brings God’s judgment. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this sin, He has never destroyed a city or nation for drunkenness or lying. Believers are to recognize that the widespread practice and acceptance will bring any nation down via God’s judgment.

Those people who approve of depraved behavior, even if not participating, are just as guilty (Romans 1:32)

Explanation: Paul continues with a very important notice. There were evidently some people who were not actually guilty of engaging in the sexually immoral behavior, but they approved of those who did. Paul informs his readers they are just as guilty. Paul reminds the readers that these people were not unaware of the immorality. They knew these activities were morally out of bounds but for whatever reason they were still unwilling to confront them.

Argument: For some inexplicable reason we have many deluded individuals in this country who approve of and extend privileges for the moral insanity that goes on. Though the homosexual population by percentage is relatively low, our policy makers bend over backwards to give them special privileges. Due to special interests and policy changes, the homosexuals are gaining privileges yearly, and the corruption continues to spread.

Application for Believers

The Sin of others also impacts the godly

“I can live however I want - it’s none of your business so just leave me alone!” This is a foolish statement. It is our business because their sin and depravity will impact us.

Example: The sin of Achan got 36 Israelites killed and put the entire nation in danger (Joshua 6)

Stand for God’s Truth without Compromise

We are called to be salt and light. Salt acts as a preservative and slows down decay. We can stand against moral wrongdoing, we can speak God’s truth, even when it is not popular.

As our nation continues its downward spiral into moral depravity there will be an increasing effort towards acceptance and conformity. Believers who live according to God’s standards will face increased pressure and persecution. It is therefore vital that we are prepared to “contend for the faith once delivered (Jude 3)

Avoid granting approval to that which God has declared wicked

Biblical Christians are a minority in this country, but we must face the truth that we are somewhat responsible for our demise. We have compromised God’s truth by accepting moral wickedness.

Example: The percentage of Christians who accept homosexuality as normative behavior continues to increase. Churches and denominations are not only accepting homosexuals as members, they are ordaining pastors and elders who are professing sexual deviants.

Seek God’s protection through Prayer

Short of God’s direct intervention through a supernatural move of repentance, this country will continue on the downgrade. Our politicians are showing no willingness to stand for what is moral and upright, the homosexuals and the transgenders are gaining ground in their moral revolution, and we even have large segments of the church caving in through compromise.

This is a call to pray for the believing remnant. I believe we are under God’s judgment, but God may still intervene and turn this dive around. He is the Only One capable of doing so, and as His children we should be seeking His face in this regard.