The Wicked Who Reject God
“...because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies between themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for that which is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting” (Romans 1:21-28).
Now, please notice many other ungodly, immoral wicked sins that are committed when a person rejects God and His Word, and does that which he/she likes to do according to“their vile passions”. Please read verses 29-39 for the terrible sins which were committed when they would not “retain God in their knowledge.” (Romans 1:29-29). Turn the pages back a few thousand years to Noah’s time in Genesis chapters 6 and 7. “And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not strive with man forever…” (Genesis 6:3). “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5). Is this not the truth in today’s world also? But God will save if man will obey Him. (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9). Turn to God and be saved.
This Current Era and Rejection of God and Christ
In this current era in which we live, it is very obvious and plain to see that belief, faith, and respect have diminished greatly for God the Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ, and people have rejected the Word of God. Not withstanding God’s inspired Word clearly teaches: “He that rejects Me, and does not receive my words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48). Only those who obey God and do His divine will, will be saved eternally. (Matthew 7:21). Many have turned against the God who “created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.” (Genesis 1:26-27). “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7). The first man and woman fell when they believed a lie, rejected God, turning away from God and believed and obeyed Satan, the devil. (Genesis 3). Today, many are still rejecting God the Father in Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for all. Obey God and be saved.
Lack of Respect and Faith in God
Man needs to, and must know and understand that without faith in God and His Word, he is doomed – lost eternally. (Hebrews 11:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Notice some more examples of those who rejected God and His Word. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness,” (Romans 1:18). “…because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God, nor were thankful; but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.” (Romans 1:21-23). Dear Reader, take note – are you in these situations? There are many false teachings and ungodly things which are unscriptural, wrong, and sinful being preached today in the church and society. Why? Some are for lack of love for God, lack of respect for God and His Word, lack of knowledge of God’s Word; some love the praise of men and many love the world and the things of the world (1 John 2:15-17). No, there were some…who exchanged the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator…” (Romans 1:25). Return to God and be saved.
The Drastic Action that God Took Against the Terrible Wickedness, Corruption, and Ungodliness
We have studied from God’s inspired Word some terrible, wicked, and ungodly sins which were committed in the first century (Romans 1:21-28), and also thousands of years prior (Genesis 6-7) which were so wicked that God took drastic action. Read it: “And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man, and beast, and creeping thing, and the birds of the air; for I am sorry that I have made them.” (Genesis6:6-7). Notice: it was God that created and made man and everything else! God was, and is, in control! “So God looked upon the earth, and indeed, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. And God said to Noah, The end of all flesh has come before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them, and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” (Genesis 6:12-13). The inspired Word of God continues and vividly explains how God destroyed the world by the great flood. God never did tolerate nor condone wicked, ungodly sins; and God does not today, as those scriptures prove. Do the sins described remind us of the present time, in which we live? Indeed, they do! But man can be saved, if he will repent and obey the Gospel of Christ. (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4).
God Does Not Condone Nor Tolerate Sin Today
Our study of the Bible, the inspired Word of God, revealed some wicked and ungodly sins that were committed by people in New Testament days (Romans 1:21-28, and in the Old Testament days (Genesis 6-7) God punished the guilty of both ages severely, even to the destruction of the whole world, as we learned from the Sacred Scriptures. God does not condone nor tolerate sin today either. God has given a plan of salvation whereby man can be saved – Jesus Christ (John 3:16). However, one must come to God: have faith in His Word, believe in, accept Jesus Christ, and “obey from the heart’ (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 6:17). Note these profound lessons by Christ himself: Jesus “asked His disciples, saying, Who do men say that I, the Son of man, am?” And they named various ones. “He said to them, But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-17). Who is saved? Only those who obey Christ – “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38; Matthew 7:21).
Jesus Continues to Teach About His Church
Jesus continues, “I also say to you, that you are Peter and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18). Jesus’s disciples did not know who Jesus was, but as Jesus stated, God the Father in Heaven revealed Him to Peter. Jesus declared that He would build His church upon the great truth that “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” He did not say that He would build His church upon Peter, but on the truth, Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Note Jesus said, “I will build My church.” (Matthew 16:18). He did build His church, only His church, one church. He bought it with His own blood. (Acts 20:28). The church is the body, and the body is the church. (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). “…Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ…” (Ephesians 5:23-24). “…Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,” (Ephesians 5:25). “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4) Who is saved? Those who are in Christ’s church. Must hear the Word (Romans 10:17), have faith (Hebrews 11:6), believe in and confess Christ (Romans 10:9-10; John 8:24), repent ([Luke 13:3-5]), be baptized for forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5). The Lord will add you now to His church (Acts 2:47).