The Book Of Romans 9
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For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
God's Wrath:
Anger, not an agitated outburst of violence. It is not the anger that quickly blazes up and just as quickly fades away, not the anger that arises solely from emotion. Rather, it is decisive anger. It is an anger that has arisen from a thoughtful decision, an anger that arises from the mind much more than from the emotions.
When used of God, it is always an anger that is righteous and just and good. It is an anger that stands against the sin and evil, violence and slaughter, immorality and injustices of men. It is an anger that abhors and hates sin and evil and that dishes out a just revenge and equal justice.
However, it is an anger that is deeply felt; in fact, it must be felt, for evil and corruption must be opposed and erased from the face of the earth if there is to be a "new heavens and a new earth." And God has promised a new heavens and a new earth where righteousness and perfection dwell forever.
There is God's anger in judgment
There is God's anger in judgment
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
There is God's anger with those who disobey the Lord Jesus
There is God's anger with those who disobey the Lord Jesus
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
There was God's anger with Israel in the wilderness
There was God's anger with Israel in the wilderness
So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
There was the anger of the Lord Jesus at man's hardness of heart
There was the anger of the Lord Jesus at man's hardness of heart
And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
MEN REJECT THAT WITHIN THEM: CONSCIENCE AND THOUGHTS
MEN REJECT THAT WITHIN THEM: CONSCIENCE AND THOUGHTS
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Note three clearly stated facts.
1. God can be known. There are some things that "may be known of God."
2. These things are manifest (evident, made clear and plain) "in" men. Men know about God; they know some things about God within their hearts, minds, and consciences.
3. How? "God has shown [made evident, clear and plain]" these things to men.
1. There is a great deal about God that men cannot know (), but there is a great deal that men can know.
Job
Canst thou by searching find out God?
Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
Men can know enough to be led to God. This is the whole point of this passage: men know about God, but they do not worship Him as God.
They have a sense of God, but they suppress the sense, trying to get rid of it.
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:
Man's inner sense, or innate awareness, and instinctive knowledge of God are strong. Man can reason and grasp that "God is [exists] and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him". He can know to such a degree that he is "without excuse"
Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
The heavens declare his righteousness,
And all the people see his glory.
QUESTIONS:
1. When you look at God's creation, what do you see that reveals God?
2. What should your attitude be in preserving God's creation? 3. How can you reason with a scientist or unbeliever who attempts to explain away the facets of creation?
MEN DO NOT HONOR GOD NOR GIVE HIM THANKS
MEN DO NOT HONOR GOD NOR GIVE HIM THANKS
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.
Note that Paul shifted to the past tense in this verse.
He was speaking of what men had done in the past; and, of course, men still do the same today. Two serious charges are made against men. Men can clearly know God both... ·
1. within themselves: in their own thoughts, reasonings, consciences ·
2. without themselves: in creation and nature, in the earth and outer space
They can know that God gives them life and cares and provides for them, and that God runs everything in an orderly and lawful way, giving purpose and meaning to life.
Men can see that God is great and good; therefore, God deserves to be glorified and given thanks.
But men... ·
1. did not glorify Him:
2. did not worship, obey, or serve Him as God ·
3. did not give thanks to Him:
4. did not praise, magnify, or express appreciation to Him
Two severe things happen when they push God out of their minds.
1. Men's imaginations become vain.
a. The word imaginations means thoughts, reasonings, deliberations, conclusions, speculations.
b. The word vain means, empty, futile, unsuccessful, senseless, worthless.
Psalm 10
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God:
God is not in all his thoughts.
Their minds are ready to be filled with some other god or supremacy.
Genesis 6:
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Man's "foolish heart is darkened."
1 The word "foolish" means senseless, without understanding, unintelligent.
2 The word "darkened" means blinded, unable to see.
They know not, neither will they understand;
They walk on in darkness:
All the foundations of the earth are out of course.
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,