Expect Non-Believers to Behave Like Non-Believers
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For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Because their hearts are darkened. (21)
Because their hearts are darkened. (21)
Think of how this metaphor applies even today.
When you think of someone who’s had their heart darkened, what do you think about?
An angry person. One who can be classified as hateful. Uncaring, Argumentative, Deceitful.
Let’s take a look at some of the Biblical examples of light and dark.
Light:
the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
Dark:
But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.
The word you have in your Bible for “foolish” may be “senseless” as well.
This Greek word literally means “without understanding.” To the point that one does not have the capacity for insight or understanding.
Imagine that if you would. A mind so dark, it can’t possibly understand the truth.
Have you ever been in a room so dark you didn’t know where you were?
Maybe it was in an unfamiliar room. You didn’t know if you would stub your toe or not; if the next step would be carpet or the stairs; if you might awaken an angry dog or step on some legos.
The person whose heart is darkened is like this spiritually.
They are spiritually blind.
How does one get this way? Take a look at verse Rom. 1:21 again.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
They Bible says “they knew God.”
People get a darkened heart because although they know the truth, they chose to ignore it.
The Bible uses the word “fool” in verse 22.
In this context, the word isn’t derogatory, it means, “one without wisdom.”
The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
One whose heart is darkened acts as a fool-one without God.
Because of this they follow a lifestyle that is exhibits characteristics of a fool, and are therefore detrimental to themselves and society as a whole.
Because they exchanged the truth for a lie. (25)
Because they exchanged the truth for a lie. (25)
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
They exchanged God’s truth for a lie. How did they do this?
They worshipped the created rather than the creator.
They had both placed side by side and purposefully chose the created.
Here’s an interesting note on this verse:
The word for “exchanged” is only used here and in verse 26. The word form in 23 is a bit different than these two.
It literally takes on the meaning of an old world type of trade. A bargain.
In other words, they knew what that they were giving up something.
It’s not so much that they had a choice between two things and simply chose one; but they knew which one was better. Which one was right. Which one would fulfill them and still chose wrong.
We should expect non-believers to have dark hearts AND to exchange the truth for a lie.
Why do they do this?
The lie is self-serving.
The lie promotes pride. We are doing something and don’t need God.
The lie busy’s the time of the lost to burn up the play clock of life.
If you are looking for proof of this, listen to how people word their statements about God or morality or truth.
“The God I worship...”
“My God...”
Truth for me may be different than truth for you.”
“In my study, I’ve come to the conclusion...”
Expect non-believers to be different because their truth is not TRUTH
Because they did not acknowledge God. (28)
Because they did not acknowledge God. (28)
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
Finally, we expect non-believers to act like non-believers because they did not acknowledge God.
Now, this idea of acknowledging God means a “full and precise knowledge.”
They had a dim knowledge.
Sort of reminds you of people today too right?
Remember what I said a few minutes ago?
“My God is like...”
“The God I worship would never...”
People may claim that these are god’s, but they are not the true God!
Read with me John 1:14-18
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ” From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
Verse 17 is key here. John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Think about the barriers we sometimes place on people with the Gospel message.
Not only does our presentation come across as a recipe that was handed down; and presented often in such a way that tells the person we’ve never made this recipe or that the recipe may even be too hard to make in my kitchen.
But we often assume those with whom we share will have a working knowledge of a basis on which to build.
Look at John 1:17 again.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
What law?
Who is Moses?
What is grace and truth?
Why is this Jesus so important?
You see, non-believers either have a very dim view of scripture; what some would say is incomplete, or it’s simply wrong and made up to what they want!
Listen to this, Rom. 1:28
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
“He gave them over to a depraved mind.”
Paul used this here in 28, in 24, and in 26. Gave them over, gave them over, gave them over.
Think about the old White Plains school. Some of you attended that school. Now it holds Church Xtreme. Imagine what would happen to that building if it were to sit unused. The animals and drug addicts would take over. Time and abuse would take it’s toil.
Part of God’s judgment on people is seen here. He gave them over to what they wanted.
You want to life apart from Me, fine. You live in an unfulfilled marriage.
Try to get happy with material things.
Worship the created through fishing, hunting, making money, and buying things. See what it’s like to always want more.
You want a same sex relationship, fine. Deal with all the pain that’s going to cause you.
Our lack of knowledge of God is not simply ignorance, but is a choice and the cause of why things are so broken.
In closing, you could use this passage the next time someone asks you this: “Why is the world so evil?” Or “If God is so loving, why is there evil in the world?”
Because people’s hearts are darkened, they’ve exchanged the truth for a lie, and they have a poor knowledge of God.
To be honest, we are placing the blame in the wrong place. It shouldn’t be on God, but on ourselves.
Invitation:
Have you received Christ your Lord and Savior?
Have you begun your walk with Him by following in baptism?
Would you like prayer during this hymn of invitation?