Inexcusable Irreverence and Ingratitude

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Romans 1:19-21

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it to them.…

After a missionary had gone into a certain part of Hindostan, and had given away New Testaments, a Hindoo waited upon him, and said, "Did you not write that first chapter of Romans after you came here?" "No; it has been there nearly two thousand years." "Well, all I can say is, that it is a fearfully true description of the sin of India." However, I am not going to talk about Hindoos; they are a long way off. I am not going to speak about the ancient Romans; they lived a couple of thousand years ago. I am going to speak about ourselves, and about some persons here whom my text admirably fits. Here is —

I. WANT OF REVERENCE. "They knew God," but "they glorified Him not as God."

1. Many never think of God. Whether there is a God, or not, makes no practical difference to them; if we could prove that there were no God, they would feel easier in their consciences. "Well," says one, "I do not care much whether there is a God or not; I am an agnostic." That is a Greek word, is it not? And the equivalent Latin is "Ignoramus." I could not bear robe an "ignoramus or an agnostic about God! I must have a God. He is to me as necessary as food to my body, and air to my lungs. The sad thing is, that many who believe that there is a God yet go from the beginning of the week to the end of it without reflecting upon Him at all.

2. Have no right conceptions of God. The true conception of God is that He is all in all; and unless we treat Him as such, we have not treated Him as He ought to be treated.

3. Some who think of God a little, but never offer Him any humble, spiritual worship. Do not imagine that God can be worshipped by anything which is merely mechanical or external, but which is not from the heart.

4. There are those who do not obediently serve Him — for they are the servants of themselves; and there is no master more tyrannical than unsanctified self. But, remember, if the Lord be God, and He made us, we are bound to serve Him.

5. They do not trust Him. The place for man is under the shadow of God's wings, but you run to your neighbours as soon as ever you are in difficulties.

6. They did not seek to commune with Him. It is a very sad business when a boy who has been at home with his father and mother for years has never spoken to them.

7. They do not want to be reconciled to Him.

II. WANT OF GRATITUDE. I cannot say anything much worse of a man than that he is not thankful to his benefactors; and when you say that he is not thankful to God, you have said about the worst thing you can say of him. I will prove ingratitude on the part of many.

1. God's law is despised. God has taken the trouble to give us this map of the way, and to direct us in the only right road; yet some have gone directly in the teeth of it; in fact, it looks as if the very existence of the law is a provocation to them to break it.

2. God's day is dishonoured. God has, in great mercy, given us one day in seven wherein to rest, and to think of holy things. He said, Take six, and use them in your business. No, we must have the seventh as well."

3. God's book is neglected. Was there ever such a book, so full of wisdom, and so full of love? But there are many who do not take the trouble to read it. A father's love letter to his son, and his son leaves it unread!

4. God's Son is refused. Ingratitude, thou hast reached thy utmost limit now.

5. God's deliverances are forgotten. Some years ago I spoke with a soldier who rode at Balaclava; and when he told me so, I took him by the hand; I could not help it, though he was a stranger to me. The tears were in my eyes, and I said, "Sir, I hope that you are God's man after such a deliverance as that." But I did not find that he had given his heart to Christ. Over there is a man who has been in half a dozen shipwrecks; and if he does not mind, he will be shipwrecked to all eternity! One here has had yellow fever. Ah, sir, there is a worse fever than that on you now I

6. God's providences are ignored! Some of you, from your childhood, have had all that heart could wish. Should God not have some gratitude from you? But one says, "I have had good luck." Here is unthankfulness to God indeed, when you ascribe His gifts to "good luck." "Well, you know, but I have been a very hard-working man." I know you have, but who gave you the strength for your work?

7. God's Spirit is resisted.

III. THIS IRREVERENCE AND INGRATITUDE WERE AGAINST KNOWLEDGE. "When they knew God." Notice —

1. Knowledge is of no use if it does not lead to holy practice. It was no good to them to know God, for "they glorified Him not as God." So, my theological friend, it does not matter what you think, or know, unless it leads you to glorify God, and to be thankful.

2. Knowledge will increase the responsibility of those who are irreverent and ungrateful. Whatever excuse might be made for those who never heard of God, there was none for these people.

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