The wrath of God continued.
Paul begins his theological presentation by asserting that the sin problem was so big that only God could solve it. Sin is a power that only God can defeat. The wrath of God is his hatred of sin. However, God does not hate sinners. Why does God hate sin? God hates sin because it kills sinners by separating them from him. Therefore, God determined to save the sinners from the power of sin. Humankind had no excuse for sinning in the garden of Eden. Humankind does not have an excuse for continuing to practice the acts of sin after the garden of Eden. Even though sin built the barrier between humankind and God, there was no excuse for not knowing God. Sin separated sinners from God. However, sin did not separate God from sinners.” For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes– his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20, NET.
The ungodliness of humankind and the pursuit of evil ways were at a critical point at the time the Messiah was born. “At just the right time…” Romans 5:6, God sent his Son to save the dying humankind. It is the same today. Humankind is pursuing its ways, and at just the right time, Jesus will return to take his faithful followers to be with him. Satan hoped that he could disrupt God’s plans for humankind by employing his worst brand of evil. Humankind cooperated willingly with Satan in implementing his strategies. What humans were doing did not justify their guilt, regardless of whether they knew it or not. Sufficient knowledge about God and his ways always existed. However, humankind did not know God. Nevertheless, humankind is without excuse for cooperating with God’s enemy.
Historically, humans are so proud of themselves that they cannot differentiate between right and wrong. “Although they fully know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:32, NET. They discerned God in what they had seen in nature but refused to acknowledge and worship God the Creator. They deliberately continued in evil ways because their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. “For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God and give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts, and their senseless hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:21, NET.
The self-righteous are guilty also. Read the next blog.
