Godís Wrath on Unrighteousness
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 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, 211 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. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible manóand birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the 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 vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
Now that Paul has shown us where righteousness comes from he takes a turn to show us the other side. Why it is, from God’s perspective as revealed to him through the Holy Spirit, that the ungodly pagans are the way they are. He defines their primary sins, idolatry and pridefulness, then shows the process by which they are condemned. They are unable to claim that there is no God because they have all of creation before them to declare that God not only exists but that His attributes are clearly seen in nature. God has revealed Himself to them for that purpose – so that none can be found without the knowledge of Gods existence and His sovreignty on this planet. They are left without an excuse for their actions. Knowing these things in their hearts, they suppress the truth and hold onto things that are perishable. They elevate things that God has created as the focus for their worship – money, wealth, power, nature, knowledge, people, etc. One of the worst things you can ever experience is when God says, “Ok, have it your way.” God saw that this is how the natural man chooses to life so he allowed them to do as they pleased. This is that free will that people always talk about. God allowed the people to do as they pleased and, as we see even today, sin begets more sin. The natural progression of the seed of sinfulness that’s passes from father to child grows and grows until their sins consume them. They have the law of God written on their hearts (Jeremiah 31-33-34) in the form of the conscience but they repeatedly deny and soften the conscience by convincing themselves that anything they feel like is natural and good. This continues onward as they begin to even accept the things that others do that are wholly sinful and approve of their actions by either word, action, or inaction where they refuse to say anything against their deeds. So, what is to be said for those who find themselves outside of the grace of God? …