Title: The Unexcused Sin of Man
(Explanation of Romans 9)
the inexcusable sin of man
(Text: Romans 1:18-23)
Introduction: The Bible says that man is a sinner by birth. David confessed that he was a sinner from conception in his mother's womb, born in sin (Psalm 5:15). The Bible gives a clear answer to the origin of human sin. It is said in chapter 6 of the Westminster Confession, which is used as a confession by the Presbyterian Church. “The first parents of mankind sinned by eating the forbidden fruit, defeated by Satan’s cunning and temptation.” Adam's sin like this plunged mankind into irreparable sin. And this confession of faith says this about the consequences of this sin. “Because of this sin, we lost our original righteousness, our fellowship with God was cut off, and as a result, we died in sin, and all the functions of our souls and bodies were defiled,” he said. This human condition is called total depravity. Total depravity is a hopeless state from which there is no turning back. The text tells us that these humans have left God and are the alarm of God's judgment on them.
1. God's Wrath Appears from Heaven
Paul is speaking of God's wrath here. It is said that this wrath will appear even in heaven. Paul said of those who will receive God's wrath, "They will appear from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of those who suppress the truth by unrighteousness." All ungodliness and unrighteousness speak of fallen man's sin. This kind of sin is common to all people. “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). God said that He would bring judgment of wrath upon these sinners.
(1) We can look at God's wrath like this in the past. Such is the judgment of the flood in Noah's day. “When the Lord saw that man's iniquity was tolerant in the world, and that every thought of his heart was only evil all the time, he lamented that he had created man on the earth, and was grieved in his heart, saying, I will wipe out the man whom I created from the face of the earth, and creeping things and even the birds of the air” (Genesis 6:5-7). God's judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah is also a judgment belonging to such wrath (Genesis 19). The judgment on Egypt in Exodus is one of those judgments (Exodus 6-12).
(2) God's wrath is the final judgment on this earth. In Revelation chapter 16, it is expressed as “the cup of wine of the fierce wrath of God.” This wrath is revealed as the final seventh bowl judgment. “And the seventh poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, “It is done.” There were lightnings and voices and thunders, and there was a great earthquake, and there was no such great earthquake because man was on the earth. The city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and Babylon the Great was remembered before God, and received the cup of the wine of her fierce wrath, and each island disappeared, and the mountains were deserted” (Revelation 16:17-20). The judgment of God's wrath ends with this seventh bowl.
2. The inexcusable sin of man
Then why are we humans born into this world as descendants of Adam subjected to the judgment of God's wrath? Verse 21 gives the answer. “Knowing God, but not glorifying him as God, without giving thanks”.
(1) It is revealed that a serious sin that deserves the wrath of God is a sin that knows God, but does not glorify Him as God. A noteworthy word here is the expression of “knowing God”. He said that even sinners who will receive God's wrath do not know God, but know God who inflicts wrath on them. As for the reason, he said, “For the things that may be known of God are manifested in them, and God has made them visible to them” (19).
Then, what does it mean that God has shown in the hearts of men what can be known of God? It is said that God has clearly shown and made known the eternal power and divinity of God in all things that he has made. It is said that God made it possible to know the existence of God in the heart of man through the mysteries of all things that God made, His great providence, and the amazing mystery hidden in all things themselves. Therefore, he nailed the nail that human beings have no excuse under any circumstances.
God created all things to be glorified by His creatures. However, human beings who have fallen into sin know God, but do not glorify Him as God. Glory means to praise or respect. People who lack or lack praise and respect for God are living a life that does not glorify God.
(2) The second sin mentioned below is the sin of not giving thanks to God. A life that knows God but does not give thanks to God is a sin that has spread to mankind through the fall of man and deserves God's wrath. To say no thanks is to say that there is no gratitude at all. The word ‘grateful’ is ‘eucharistia’, which means good grace and good gifts, and the reason we give thanks to God is because of the good grace we are receiving from God. Therefore, thanksgiving to God is overflowing with joy and blessing. The life of the saints should be based on this thanksgiving.
(3) Next, the sin of idolatry is held as a sin that deserves God's wrath. It says, “He has exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for images made in the likeness of corruptible man, and of gold and scum.” Why do humans come to worship idols? Regarding this, it says, “Because their thoughts became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” This verse refers to the state of man who has turned away from God because of sin. There is no peace from God. There is no hope from God. This human condition comes from knowing the existence of God and deliberately turning away from it.
It is said that the foolish heart is darkened. Sin darkens the heart. He said he was wise, but he became foolish. Because they have forsaken the wisdom of God. Such people will inevitably fall into the sin of idolatry by changing the glory of God into the image of a human, a golden animal, or an animal. To change the image of God into a human, a golden animal, or a peddler of garbage is an indescribable, deliberate insult to God and a challenge.
Conclusion: Humans who have departed from God are fearful sinners who will receive God's wrath. If we do not receive Jesus and walk the new path of life that glorifies God, then there is no hope for anyone.