January 17, 2023 – Tuesday
Romans 1:18-20 NIV
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Comments
Verse 16 spoke of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. What does it save us from? Verse 18 answers that question, The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness. The wrath of God and that is what Jesus felt on His way to the cross, flogging and humiliation, and then His crucifixion at the cross when He had committed no sin at all. He had led a sinless life, seeking only to do the will of Father God.
He took on the wrath for everyone, and especially for all who would believe that He died for our sins and rose on the third day while repenting of their sins and changing their lives to live as believers. Or as it said in verse 17, 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
But if one does not believe and live by faith, they will face the wrath of God. Verse 18 tells us they suppress the truth by their wickedness. No, this does not mean they are keeping others from knowing the truth – although they may do that as well – but instead they suppress the truth in their own lives. They live a lie. Why would I say that? Because, as verse 19 says, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. When judgment time comes they can deny all they want, but Paul states God’s position plainly, what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. God is real and once we have clearly grasped that fact, it is remarkable and somewhat shocking to be around people who cannot see what is plainly before them. We are not special and if we can see the truth, it is incredibly difficult to fathom all the unbelief around us.
Paul drives this point home in verse 20, For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. No excuse is acceptable – none. The only thing acceptable is faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not some cheap faith that is all talk and no action. Real faith where the gospel of Jesus Christ is a life-changing faith.
And Jesus knows the difference. If it is not real He has a very specific message for those who may have talked the talk, but did not walk the walk in Matthew 7, 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ They will have to deal with the wrath of God.
Bottom Line: Let our belief be real and lived out as we accept that Jesus took on the wrath we deserved. Also let us pray for those who are still blind to the truth that they might see before it is too late.
Prayer: Almighty God, Thank You for giving me a way to avoid Your wrath, the wrath I deserved until I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for His salvation. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek