Grace from Romans
Romans 1:18-32
In the Bible we always see: first the law and condemnation for breaking the law, and then Grace and Salvation
Think of it this way. Breaking the law is like the evidence of a terminal disease. Grace is like the cure to that disease. Consider this scene: A man comes to you and offers you a great cure to a terrible disease. But, you have never heard of that disease. He wants you to apply the cure, so that you will not die from the disease. You would be unlikely to take the cure unless you are convinced that you have the disease! You would think that the man with the cure needs a cure of his own!
But, if he were to say, there is a terrible terminal disease and I can tell that you have it because you exhibit the following symptoms. If you do nothing you will surely die and soon. But, I have good news! There is a cure. I have it and will give it to you freely! Now, you are likely to listen to the man. You will take seriously the disease and the cure that he is offering.
As we continue our study in the book of Romans, Paul has completed his introduction. He shared with the believers in
Paul is showing, not only that every man everywhere is guilty, but what the consequences of that guilt. Paul is using a court room idea. God is the Judge and Man is the Defendant. Paul is a little like the prosecuting attorney giving the evidence of guilt. None of us like to think of ourselves as guilty of a crime. However, if we have no guilt we need no Savior! Jesus death would have been in vain. However it is clear that we have guilt and that we are in desperate need of a Savior. The penalty for the crime of sin is the wrath of God which brings death. That is why Paul starts with verse 18 saying “The wrath of God is revealed ...”
I wish to focus on what follows the word because.
Man is under God’s wrath because...
The world around us tells us of God and renders us guilty before Him. Verses 19-20
The world around us shows all that we need to know about God. It shows that He is the creator and giver of life. This knowledge makes us without excuse, or defense.
Man did not glorify God. Verses 21-23
Even with the knowledge of God that comes from creation, man (unsaved man) is still under God’s wrath (judgment) because they fail to apply what they know. They refused to be thankful for what God had given them. This led to foolishness and hearts that were darkened. A darkened heart is unable to see the truth. This darkness combined with an understanding of the existence of God leads to idolatry in verse 23. Our God is a very jealous God. He is very displeased when we give our worship to another.
Next, Paul will look at God’s judgment in this life for man’s rebellion. God allows sin, like a disease, to run its course, consuming mind and body. We will go into this in detail in the next lesson.
All we must do to know God exists is to look around. To know God even better we must look into His word. Just as we are looking at the book of Romans and its description of God and how he works in the lives of man, so we also must look at other parts of the scriptures for insight to who God is and how He works.
Take time this week to appreciate God’s work in the natural world around us. I am thankful that we can know the Father God, creator and not “Mother Nature.”
Pastor Tim (PT)
Crossroads Baptist Church
pastor@tracychurch.org
814-1815 (cell)
833-8423 (church)
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