Note for 20241101 - Romans - Part 02 - The Wrath of GOD

 

Romans - Part 02

The Wrath of GOD

The Audio Version of today’s note advised.

The House of Bread · Voice Note for 20241101 - Romans - Part 02 - The Wrath of GOD

Romans 1:18-32 KJV

[18] 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: [21] because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. [24] Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: [25] who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. [26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: [27] and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. [28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; [29] being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, [30] backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, [31] without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: [32] who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Note for 20241101

Against whom is the wrath of GOD revealed from heaven? 

Let's look at verse 18 again. 

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;" 

You have read this section of the scripture, for who is the wrath of GOD stored up, against who will GOD pour out His Wrath? We are so likely to say, "the unrighteous and ungodly," but here it is clear to see, it is those who know the truth, but choose to be unrighteous. 

For such a long time, I have been observing, "studying" mankind and their behavior (even myself) to search for a deeper understanding of what the natural order is of mankind. The truth is that mankind is rebellious and selfish is his basic nature. Survivalists, that is who man is; and soon follow after all forms of dark pleasures when left unchecked. Deceivers, manipulators; with an interesting ability to deceive even himself and soothe himself with an inborn justification of all the wrong he does. Yet is GOD known inwardly, but not all profess the truth. No, man has to deny GOD in himself, to go forth and do all the vile things mankind is capable of. Forsaking righteousness and holding on to that which serves himself best in every moment. So often, even acts of righteousness are done to promote the self, and victory is soon claimed by man, even if it means twisting the truth for his benefit. Mankind is marketers of self and gluttons of pleasures, that is who we are in our fallen state. Yes, even atheists must deny GOD to place a label on themselves. Man is forceful to be seen and called as he pleases, despite who GOD made him to be. Man walks away from the natural order that GOD created him in, and chooses to serve the darkness he can indulge himself in. Murderers, thieves, haters and perverts; that is who man is when he is left unchecked. Hypocritical, but the one who is deceived the most is the self. Lukewarm people, adapting to every situation to survive this world in a love of self. I sound cynical, don't I? That is because I have learned to be cynical, based on the choices I see mankind make. 

This is exactly why the gospel of Jesus Christ is so needed in this world. I am not merely cynical, but a realist that can see through the masks of man. Don't you know that Christ died on the cross for sinners? He Himself said that He did not come for the healthy, but the doctor is sent to those who are unwell. Mankind is unwell, friends. There's a darkness in man, and when that darkness is discovered in ourselves, you have reached a turning point. You can choose to repent before the Lord your God, your creator; or, you can deceive yourself longer, and walk away in willful ignorance. The sad fact is that Christ died on the cross for you, but you choose to believe in Him or not. That is the Truth, and a terrifying truth at that. 

It is strange to see unbelievers turn to GOD in a moment of their trouble. Even when they bump their toe, they call out to GOD or His Son, Jesus Christ. Man knows the truth, but he denies the Salvation of GOD for himself, thinking himself somewhat of a god, that he can make it on his own. The truly wicked amongst us, those who willfully and knowingly choose darkness knows God too, they hate Him. They will make war on heaven if given half the opportunity. Look again at verse 18

Romans 1:18 KJV

[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 

Yes,it implies that man chooses his fate himself, and in his choice, he chooses another passenger of a darker place. Ephesians 6:12-13 gives us insight to that world, and as we resist the devil in us, we overcome those desires that play out in the flesh. We deny the demands of the flesh in us, knowing what drives man to all the acts of unrighteousness knowing that deception is at the heart of it. But, we can only see it, once we have seen it in ourselves, and for that we are tormented in the flesh.

Romans 7:15-21 KJV

[15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. [16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. [17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 

Do you think, based on this scripture, that Paul discovered this truth in him too? Christ said, resist the devil and he shall flee from you; what is it then that must be resisted? Why should we even take our thoughts captive? Why should we guard the tongue? We should prevent evil from flowing from us... Is that not the very essence of self-control? Even denying that which the flesh may want is that not also in the root of fasting?

Friends, this took me a long time to understand. You can say, I learned it the hard way and that is by error and failure. To choose righteousness is also to deny unrighteousness in me. You change your way from within. Affording others the same opportunity to choose for themselves, else you will just be seen as an oppressor. And this world will see you as such, for you stand against that which they permit in themselves. We look at the log in our own eye first, don't we? Only then can we see clearly, for then we have faced the enemy in us. So the enemy is expelled from us, by resisting him within. Turning our worship to Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour, and no longer giving in to the lust in the flesh.

I hope that this helps you, truly I do. Because, in me, it has been my greatest battle in life and I would not have made it without Christ and the Holy Spirit of GOD. From the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, man was exposed to all. Now, we must choose good and deny evil.

Shalom.

The House of Bread

Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App, extended from verse 7

1 John 1:6-10 KJV

[6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: [7] but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.