“The wrath of God…”: In discussing Rom 12:9-21 John Piper said, “What shall we say then about this wrath? Perhaps in the limits of one message we can take note of four things. If we focus on the wrath of God that falls on human beings at the final judgment, we can say at least these four things about it: 1) It will be eternal—having no end. 2) It will be terrible—indescribable pain. 3) It will be deserved—totally just and right. 4) It will have been escapable—through the curse-bearing death of Christ, if we would have taken refuge in him.”
May the fourth point prompt all of us “in Christ” to reach out in love to those needing refuge in our Lord Jesus.
v. 18 In this context God’s wrath is His abandonment of the wicked to their sins. Harrison (1976) refers to, “A holy just revulsion against what is contrary to and opposes his holy nature and will.” It is also a present judgment, “…being revealed from heaven…”
The object of wrath is two-fold: godlessness and wickedness of mankind.
godlessness: an absence of reverence, no respect, neglect and rebellion against God
wickedness: injustice and morally corrupt in conduct with others.
What happens to the righteous “truth” of God because of the wickedness of mankind?
Suppress: to subdue or keep from being revealed. Also, to know the truth about God, yet rebel.
v. 19-20 We see that creation bears clear witness to its Maker, the evidence is “plain to them.” Harrison discussed four characteristics from the text:
1. A clear or plain testimony set before the eyes of mankind.
2. The word “understood” suggests that the revelation does not stop with perception, but is expected to include reflection which results in a conclusion about the Creator.
3. Natural revelation is a constant testimony maintained “since the creation of the world.” Acts 14:17
4. It is a limited testimony in that it reflects God: “his eternal power and divine nature.”
Even today we have “Natural Revelation” revealing there is a Creator. The grace of God through natural revelation should prompt mankind to seek out God and experience “Special Revelation” through Scripture. Obviously Scripture is our primary source, hence “special revelation” illuminates our minds to understand the love of God and salvation by grace through faith, especially, the revelation of God in His Son (John 1:14).
Harrison stated, “Natural revelation is sufficient to make man responsible, but is not by itself sufficient to accomplish his salvation.”
The grace of God has prompted us as “genuine transformed believers” to run to the Creator for salvation through the Lord Jesus. However, although natural revelation is always present, mankind rebels and is left without excuse. “It is characteristic of man in his sinful state that he knows much more truth than he translates into fitting response (p. 23).
v. 21-23 Despite having knowledge of God through creation mankind fails today and failed in the first century to act on this understanding. We as “new creations in Christ” are obligated to do two things that mankind in his rebellious state refuses to do:
1. Glorify God
2. Give Thanks
Indeed all mankind is created to fellowship with God. Harrison(1976) refers to mankind as “Religious beings.” “…if he refuses to let God have the place of preeminence that is rightfully his, then he will put something or someone in God’s place.”
“their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” “The suggestion that emerges from this statement is that mythology and idolatry grew out of a man’s insistent need to recognize some power in the universe greater than himself, coupled with his refusal to give God the place of supremacy” (p.23).
Do we see varying degrees of this sort of dynamic today? To become futile = idol worship.
Obvious idol worship————–subtle humanism
(man worship)
Worship of animal kingdom: cf. Psalm 106:20 Paul is primarily referring to gentiles and their pagan practices. However, the Israelites had their time of futile thinking as well.
v. 24-25 “…God gave them over…” Idolatry. “God took his hands off and let willful rejection produce ugly results in human life.” Harrison suggested that “false worship” was God’s judgment for abandoning the true worship. In fact, he said, “Man’s religion in its various cultic forms is a species of punishment for spurning the revelation God has given of himself in nature.”
He highlighted that “religion” for its own sake is not beneficial, but “it is in many cases a means of keeping people so occupied that they never arrive at a confrontation with the true God” (p. 24).
The depravity of mankind revealed: 1. cultic prostitution 2. immoral relations in ordinary life
Moreover, “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie.” The “lie” above all others: someone or something above the one true God. How does this lie continue to prevail today in our culture?
v. 26-27 “God gave them over…” this time to the emphasis is perversion in sexual relations. “The first exchange, that the truth for a lie, is followed by another-the upsetting of the normal course of nature in sexual relations.”
Before Christ how often in our sinful disposition did we readily exchange what we knew was healthy to divulge in what was unhealthy? The biblical principle that God allows mankind to fumble in depravity and sinful behavior is evident cf. 1 Cor 5:5; 1 Tim 1:20. However, “In Christ” we are never let go or left to our own devices. We recognize God does discipline us because we are His; His purpose is to make us better, hence humble and holy in this life.
Allen (1986) said, “If righteousness is directed toward the restoration of man, it is directed against sin…all the godlessness and wickedness–and takes the form of wrath. In so far as sin is a force that controls a man’s life, wrath must be directed against that man until he is rescued from its power” (p. 1318).
“…received the due penalty for their perversion.” Punishment is in keeping or consistent with the offense before our holy x 3 God. “Because of this God gave them over…” A punishment for abandonment of God and His ways.
How does this apply today? Do we serve a role to encourage repentance and salvation as we observe the consequences of sin?
v. 28-32 Nothing good described here of the depraved person without God through Jesus. We see here “God gave them over” to the havoc and dysfunction in human relations because rebellious mankind suppresses the knowledge of God, and even today rejects the gospel that can bring him or her peace and eternal life.
“In the original there is a word play-men disapproved of retaining God in their knowledge, so God in turn gave them over to a ‘depraved’ mind (lit. disapproved) mind, which led them in turn to commit all kinds of sin.”
Jesus reflected on our disposition: Mark 7:20-23. Depravity is our state. However, “In Christ” we are new creatures! The viciousness and evil tendencies are now dead, especially as we yield to the Spirit indwelling in us every moment of every day. We are called to take every thought captive and make it obedient to the Lord Jesus.
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor 10:5).
Wickedness vs. Righteousness
Depravity–a condition of moral evil, an evil habit of mind
Evil–sinister and vile
Greed– a relentless urge to acquire more Col 3:5
God-haters–pride (cf. 2 Tim 3:2-3)
The rebellious who do not know God actually applaud evil. However, the transformed in Christ encourage and preach repentance before it is too late.
Obviously every person is not guilty of every one of these sins. However, total depravity, hence our sinful disposition makes each of us capable of committing all of them, especially before our “In Christ” life. May this understanding give us a sense of compassion for the lost and hope that many will come to Christ and experience fellowship with God and His people.
References:
Expositor’s Bible Commentary(1976) F.E. Gaebelein
International Bible Commentary (1986) F.F. Bruce (ed).
NIV Study Bible (1984).
Piper, J. http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/gods-wrath-vengeance-is-mine-i-will-repay-says-the-lord