Romans 2:11

For God does not show favoritism.

(v11, NIV)

This verse is plain and simple. God does not show favoritism. There is no partiality with God. God will judge and deal out what is deserved. He's not going to look at you and judge you differently because you had a funny hat that made him smile. Rather, you get what you deserve according to what you've done and what is justly due.

They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are.

(Matthew 22:16, NIV)

What this also means is that God is not swayed by the apparent face a person is displaying. So if a person were to plead desperately with sorrowful emotion that they regret their actions, God would not be swayed by their performance. Rather, God would be able to see straight to their heart to see how they really feel. One way we see this is in the way Jesus conducted himself. These people approached Jesus and mentioned how he wasn't swayed by men and pay no attention to who they are. When Jesus saw someone, it didn't matter whether they were rich or poor. He saw straight through to their heart regardless of their outward appearance or status.

If God is impartial, how is it that some are saved? We're all sinners and deserve to die. It does seem a bit unfair that those deserving of death receive eternal life. However, we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Our faith is credited as righteousness. We receive Jesus' imputed righteousness upon us. In God's judgment, it is rightly satisfied through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins. His judgment remains impartial. God shows no favoritism.

Romans 2:6-10c

God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

(v6-10, NIV)

Okay, so we see the equation and how good gets eternal life and bad gets wrath. So, how do we seek for glory, honor and immortality? It's a weird concept because there is a wrong way to go about it. Adam and Eve sought for their own glory by eating the fruit to become like God; this was bad. However, there is a way in which we seek for God's glory with the strength he provides. Now, we all live and breathe with what he has given us. However, this is in the sense that we are continuing and will always continue to rely on him and submit to him. So we seek for God's glory with that which he provides.

That's actually still quite confusing. Well, all in all, look to Christ. It is only by grace through faith in him that we are saved. Those who do good are those who are being good by Christ and Christ alone.

Romans 2:6-10b

God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

(v6-10, NIV)

It is true that nobody can live a perfect life. Nobody's perfect and there is no such thing as a perfect law-keeper. However, this text isn't necessarily talking about perfect law-keeping. Rather, this is a growing righteousness that springs forth through our faith in Jesus Christ and our repentance from our sins. In the last section Paul was talking about these hypocrites who are stubborn and unrepentant. We know that God's kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. It is through this repentance that those who receive eternal life seek glory, honor and immortality. Seek to do good, but know that it is not what saves you. Do not seek to do evil and thus receive wrath and anger.

Romans 2:6-10

God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

(v6-10, NIV)

This section has a very simple formula. Do good and you'll get eternal life. However, if you do bad, you'll receive wrath. Now, it may seem like it's saying that salvation is based upon works, but it is not saying that. Most importantly we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not by works. We know this from other parts of the bible and the bible does not contradict itself. Therefore, we must explore this section to understand what it really means. It is not referring to perfect law-keeping which nobody can do because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Rather, there is repentance and turning from sin and an increasing in holiness and righteousness. This is what this passage is talking about and it is evident in those who receive eternal life.

Romans 2:5

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

(v5, NIV)

God is patient with us. The way in which he shows his kindness to us it that he postpones his wrath upon us. We deserve punishment for our sins, but he withholds it until a later time. The idea is that he gives us time allowing us the opportunity to come to repentance. However, when the time is given, if we continue to live in our sin we are storing up wrath that will be unleashed against us. There is coming a day when God's righteous judgement will be revealed, and our stubbornness only heaps up this wrath until the day of God's wrath. Do not be stubborn or unrepentant. Repent and turn from your sins and turn to Jesus Christ the Lord.

Romans 2:4

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

(v4, NIV)

The way in which hypocrites live, it shows that they care nothing for God's kindness, tolerance and patience. Do you realize and understand the riches of his kindness? There are two ways in which God responds to sin, he responds with judgment and he responds with kindness. His kindness and long suffering is shown in the fact that we are still alive. He is patient with us. The moment we first sinned we should have paid for it with our lives. Instead, God is patient with us. He postpones judgment upon us.

So why is God patient with us? Why does he postpone his judgment upon us until a later time? Why are we allowed to continue on living and sinning against him? This is his kindness upon us in order to lead us to repentance. If we were killed, there wouldn't be an opportunity to repent and turn from our sins. But we're allowed to live and God gives us this opportunity. He wishes us to turn from our sins and turn to him. His kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. God is just and so he will render his justice properly. However, he is also kind, showing his kindness to lead us to repentance.

Romans 1:2-3

Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?

(v2-3, NIV)

God's judgment is based on truth. He does not judge based on a lie. NASB says that it rightly falls upon those who practice such things. In the last verse, Paul says that there is no excuse. Here in verse 2, focusing on God's judgment we see that it is true and right. You can't really object to a judgment like that. Well, you can, but you can't object to whether it rightly fell upon you; you deserved it.

In continuing to address these hypocrites, Paul points out some of their flaws. They judge others, but for some reason they feel as if God's judgment does not fall upon them. Somehow for some reason they feel exempt from the judgment of God. This is terribly wrong and it's sad how they are so blind that they cannot see their own sinfulness. However, let's not forget to place us in this picture. We are hypocrites who are blind to our own transgressions far too often. I continue to deceive myself and fall in many ways. So I pray and hope that my eyes be open to my own hypocrisy.

Romans 2:1

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

(v1, NIV)

At the end of the last chapter, Paul was talking about God's wrath. People exchange God's glory for something else and so God gives them over to different things, like a depraved mind. The chapter ends with a long list of sins and talking about those who approve of others who commit these sins. In saying this, there may be some listening or in the audience who are feeling self-righteous. The problem is that they forget to label themselves as the sinner who has traded away God's glory. These people are hypocrites, pointing the finger at others and never themselves. Paul addresses the self-righteous hypocrites in this next section. They judge others, but they condemn themselves in their judgment of others.

What is also interesting is that they are without excuse. In the last chapter, Paul explains that God has made it evident. The truth is made evident because God has showed it and revealed it. However, people suppress the truth. So, what's the point in saying that they are without excuse? Why would you explain to a child that they are without excuse? The situation suggests discipline to follow. In explaining this idea that they are without excuse, you explain that the discipline is just. You can't claim ignorance because you knew, so you are without excuse. Being without excuse, the punishment is basically what you deserve. Hypocrites are without excuse as is everyone and so judgment is just.

Romans 1:32c

Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

(v32, NIV)

You may say and present this to someone, but they may deny it. You could tell them that God has made it evident to them. Even though you show them that God's word tells us that God and his decrees are made known to everyone, some still deny it. People might claim to in fact not know that or not believe that. However, if we recall a few verses ago Paul tells us that they suppress the truth. The truth may not be actively available in their brain because they suppress the truth. There is a knowing that goes beyond conscious knowing. God tells us that they do know it, so we should be confident in telling them that they in fact do know it. They may deny it, but God has made it evident to them.

Romans 1:32b

Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

(v32, NIV)

This verse goes on to say a bit more about these people. We learn that they have knowledge of God's standards. Paul already wrote about something similar back in verse 19. However, this time it's more than just knowing God because God has made it evident to them. This time, God and his standards are known. They know God and his standards. By knowing God's standards, they also know that breaking these standards deserve death.

So, they know about God and his decrees. They also know that going against these decrees deserve death. What does this mean? If we look back at verse 20 we have already seen that these people are without excuse. They know God and his laws so they can't claim to be ignorant of the very things they disobeyed.

You know God and his decrees. You know whether you care to admit it or not. You know whether you're even aware of it or not. Since you know, there is no excuse. You can't claim to have not known because God has made it known to you.

Romans 1:32

Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

(v32, NIV)

So far we've seen different ways in which we go from bad to worse. There is the wrath of God that is upon us for our sins, and God giving us over to the lusts of our hearts. However, coming to the end of the chapter, we get to the worst part. It's gotten so bad that not only do people do these bad things, but they approve of others doing these bad things. So not only are we sinning against God and trading away his glory, we are encouraging others to do the same. We are helping others participate in our worship of everything that is not God. It's disgusting and the worst we can get. Not only are we affecting ourselves, but we are affecting others and helping in their downfall. It's bad enough that you're causing the downfall of yourself, but you don't have to drag others down with you.

Romans 1:18-31

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 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 men are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

(v18-31, NIV)

This is a long section. I'm stopping just short of the last verse, but what do we see here? We see God's wrath and how it rightly falls upon us. We see God handing us over to all kinds of garbage as we trade away his glory. We see the last thing he hands us over to is a depraved mind which is followed by a number of different things people have become filled with. Seeing all this gloom and doom, what we to do? Is there anything we can do to escape from this? Well, John Piper provides three different reversals that need to occur. The first one is the reversal of the wrath of God for the Righteousness of God. As mentioned earlier in the first chapter, we need God to provide the righteousness he demands from us. Without it, we cannot avert his wrath from us. His righteous wrath upon us is unswerving by our own means and efforts. It is only by him and him alone. The next thing is his handing us over. God is the one who hands us over to a debased mind and to the lusts of our hearts. If he doesn't stop doing that, we are doomed as well. In the reversal, God begins to hand us over to truth and purity. No longer are we handed over by him to a debased mind, but we grow in righteousness through him. This leads to the third thing, the debased mind. Our mind needs to be renewed in him. If our minds are not renewed, we are still carrying on with a depraved mind. This mind is like all the other worldly and fleshly minds out there. How can we have any hope carrying along with a mind like that? A renewal is required and that from God.

Romans 1:29-31

They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

(v29-31, NIV)

This is something I wrote up yesterday, so I am just typing it out:

You might say that you know people who are "good" and don't do the things listed by Paul here. In fact, you might think that of yourself. First of all, we are all sinners and have all fallen short of the glory of God. However, the point isn't that everyone who trades away the glory of God is given over to homosexuality or murder or strife. You may find someone or find yourself innocent of all on this list (though I highly doubt that they are innocent of all of them), but the point is that all and every kind of evil relates to God and is a God issue. It doesn't matter what you do, if it is in opposition to God, he has a problem with it (and so do you).

Romans 1:28b

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

(v28, NIV)

What does a depraved mind mean? Well, looking it up, depraved means to be morally corrupt or perverted. I'd like to think that in this North American society, we think we know everything. We think we're so smart and are able to use our brains to figure everything out. Sometimes people are thinking that they're so smart when they decided to make up their own God or philosophy on life. They rationalize their morality and how they are to live. Unfortunately, that's part of a depraved mind. They think they're wise, but they're really not. This mind is not an objective observer with which we can use to help us live morally. When given over to a depraved mind, the mind aids in our sinfulness. The mind will help rationalize sin and find ways to justify our filthy deeds. This is what happens, and it's disgusting.

Note: I'm going away, so next few days I may write it out day by day then type it up when I get back.

Romans 1:28

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

(v28, NIV)

Well, what is the problem here? We look at the situation of the world and see where Paul is going with the text here, but where did it come from? What is the root of the problem? It seems that Paul points to the fact that we don't want God. We exchange his glory for something else because we don't want God. So we look at all this immorality and we recognize that we deserve God's judgment. However, Paul takes it a step further. Our immorality is a judgment. Though we do deserve judgment for our sins, our immorality and depravity of our minds is a judgment upon us. God gives us over to a depraved mind and this is a judgment in it of itself.

Romans 1:23-28c

and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

(v23-28, NIV)

What do you do when you're in a situation like this? What is the solution for those whom God has given over to certain things? The initial problem is the exchange of God's glory for something else. Anything exchanged for God's glory is infinitely inferior and entirely unacceptable. You should restore God's glory to its proper place where it deserves to be. It makes sense, doesn't it? If the main problem is the exchange that takes place, then go back to before the exchange. Undo the events of the exchange and bring God's glory back to its proper place.

This is probably easier said than done. However, we can have hope because it isn't really by our own strength and power. The only way sin can be defeated in our lives is by the power of God. If we fight with our own strength, we are doomed to fail. Continue to put your faith in Christ and him alone. He is more than able.

Romans 1:23-28b

and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

(v23-28, NIV)

What's up with this pattern of exchange leading to God giving people over to an outward manifestation? Well, we see from it that these things are a judgment of God upon the human race. We don't take any one thing like AIDS and claim it's a judgment upon homosexuals and the sexually immoral. Rather, homosexuality and sexual immorality are both forms of judgment upon the human race. Similarly, AIDS is a judgment upon the human race. However, as children of God, how do we reconcile this? Do we receive judgment in the same way the world receives judgment? It's not like we're saved and immediately taken out of this world of sin; rather, we remain in this world and are to reflect God's glory to others. When we are born again, we do not experience the same sufferings the world experiences in the same way. These things are judgments upon the world, but for us it is a path to holiness and heaven. We are free from slavery to sin and we are no longer seen as clothed in our filthy sins. Rather, Jesus takes our sins and has paid for them. Then, we receive Jesus' imputed righteousness.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

(Romans 5:1-5, NIV)

So, how do we face suffering? We look to God and know that trials produce perseverance. It is not a judgment from God, but a chance to grow and to continue to give God glory. Don't be afraid of sufferings. We live in a cushy North American culture where we avoid suffering at all costs. I'm not saying that you should go purposefully stubbing your toe or something. Rather, life's main goal shouldn't be to cruise along without so much as a paper cut. God is our center and our focus and if following him leads to tough times do not be afraid. I may have sidetracked quite a bit, but we see how the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. God gives people over and we see the judgment of God upon the world. However, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we do not need to receive it in the same way as the rest of the world. Rather, sufferings are a good thing for the believer. We faithfully rest in the grace provided by the only one who is able. He alone is worthy.

Romans 1:23-28

and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

(v23-28, NIV)

There is this pattern that is occurring in these few verses. It occurs three times and each time it is a set of three things that happen. The first thing is an exchange in which we exchange the glory of God for something. What follows is the second thing, which is that God hands us over to that which we prefer. The next and last thing in the sequence is that now having been handed over to something, we act externally from what has happened internally.

The first time this occurs is in verse 23 to 24. Here, they exchange the glory of God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. The result is that God gives them over to the lusts of their hearts. Finally, this is manifested externally through the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves.

The second time this occurs is in verses 25 to 27. This one begins with people exchanging the truth about God for a lie. The truth is about God and how he is much more valued and thus preferred than anything else. However, the lie is that my way is better than God's. So they make the exchange and God gives them over to dishonorable passions. The result is that women exchange the natural for the unnatural and men similarly are consumed with passion for one another.

The third time this happens is in verse 28. All three parts are contained in verse 28. First, they do not see fit to acknowledge God. This is not quite as explicit, but the exchange is between acknowledging God and not acknowledging God. The result of this exchange is that God gives them over to a debased mind. In the end, they end up doing what ought not to be done.

Organizing this in another way, we see that people exchange the glory of God for images, they exchange the truth about God for a lie, and they exchange the acknowledgement of God for not even acknowledging him. The results are that God gives them over to the lusts of their hearts, to dishonorable passions and to a debased mind. Finally, it is shown outwardly by the dishonoring of their bodies, men and women consumed with passion for the same gender, and doing what ought not be done.

It's interesting the way this is organized and presented. All these patterned and in this section about God revealing his wrath upon and against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of man. I think the first mistake that is made is to excuse yourself from the ring of those Paul is addressing in this section. Sometimes I'll sinfully look at this and think myself above these who do such terrible things. However, I am there and cannot escape being guilty. I am in fact guilty of exchanging God's glory for many things that are far less. This dishonoring and doing what out not be done that occurs is judgment on us for committing this terrible exchange. My hope and prayer is that God's glory is no longer exchanged in my life but is exalted, having not traded it away.

Romans 1:24-27

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

(v24-27, NIV)

This kind of giving over that God does is repeated again in verses 26 and 27. This time God is giving them over to shameful lusts instead of sinful desires of their heart. It is quite disturbing because God is giving people over to homosexuality in this case. The exchange is from the natural desires men and women have for unnatural desires.

Some may argue that this does not refer to those in committed homosexual relationships. Before we go any further, this is a wrong interpretation and homosexuality of any kind is sin. Another thing to add is that though homosexuality is a sin, we all sin in many different ways and have our own particular sins that we are more inclined to than others. That being said, some will argue that this passage is referring to those who are naturally heterosexual committing homosexual acts. By saying this, they argue that those who are naturally homosexual are not committing sins when they participate in homosexual activities.

When John Piper speaks on this passage, he brings up a few arguments to counter their points. One thing in particular is the word "burning" or "inflamed" in the NIV. This is a strong word used to refer to this desire that overcomes men in their desire for one another. However, if these men are heterosexual, why would they burn in their desire for one another? Doesn't the definition of heterosexual imply that you don't burn with desire for people of the same gender as you? If they want to participate in homosexual activities, doesn't that mean that they're homosexual by nature? So, if the text is referring to that, then it doesn't make sense. It can't be referring to only those who are heterosexual by nature participating in homosexual acts. It is in fact referring to anyone who participates in homosexual activities, because homosexual activities are unnatural. I'm not saying that there aren't people who do in fact have homosexual desires and are wired that way in a sense.

For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,

(v26, NASB)

Another counter-point brought up referred to the phrase "that which is unnatural". That phrase in the Greek was a standard phrase used to refer to homosexuality per se. It was a common phrase that most people would have known to refer to homosexuality per se. So God is giving them over to shameful lusts. These lusts are in fact shameful and you should avoid participating in homosexual activities. But if you are I hope that you are seeking help in the same way that if someone were struggling with any other kind of sin, I hope that they too would seek help and turn from their sins.

Romans 1:24

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

(v24, NIV)

What happens when you exchange the glory of God for images? In the previous verses, Paul describes these people as becoming futile in their thinking. In addition, their hearts are darkened and they claim to be wise. Unfortunately, they are in fact foolish. They trade away God's glory, so God gives them over in the sinful desires of their heart. They want it, and so God gives it to them. It's sad and it makes me think of people who desperately ask God for something that is sinful. It could also be compared to a child asking their parents for something that would be "bad" for them. Sometimes they just give you what you want so that you'll learn when you fall. Unfortunately, sometimes we don't learn from our mistakes. Regardless, this trading away of glory is dark and not something you want to pursue. God may give you over to that which you desire; then what will you do?

Romans 1:22

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

(v22, NIV)

The thing is that those who commit idolatry claim to be wise. It does seem wise to make your own God. Think of people today and see how it could seem wise. It may seem to sound wise to make your own religion and follow a different God from the God of the bible. Some of the religions out there seem wise or seem to make sense to people, which is why some people trade away the one true God for those religions. Some people don't turn to "religions" but instead make other things God. To some, their God is their belly. They are all about food and satisfying their hunger with the next delicious meal. Some look to video games or television shows or movies. There are all sorts of images that people trade away God to get. It seems wise and they claim to be wise, but they are not.

Compare these idolaters with the person who follows the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who follow Jesus Christ are seen as foolish. Maybe you aren't seen as foolish, but maybe you aren't truly following him. People who truly follow Jesus are labeled as "extremists" or people who go too far with Christianity. It's seen as unwise. They don't understand why you would do that. People think of you as crazy, wondering why you would ever go to the extreme in any sense of the word for God. Idolaters claim to be wise, but they are foolish. Maybe a better question would be appalled at the hypocrisy in people's lives. How can someone know God, coming face to face with him and yet trade away his glory for something immensely less?

Romans 1:21b

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

(v21, NIV)

What else does Paul tell us about these people? Not only are they futile in their thinking, but their hearts are darkened. What does this mean? Well, they exchanged the glory of God for images. From 1 John we know that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If you trade him away, you no longer have him who is light. If you no longer have the light, where can you get light from? Within us is no light producing thing of any kind. There is only God, and without him, we walk in the darkness. Do not trade him away; otherwise your hearts will be darkened.

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

(2 Corinthians 4:1-6, NIV)

Here in 2 Corinthians people are described as being blinded. The gospel is veiled to those who are perishing. The light refers to the light of the gospel, but they are filled with darkness and cannot see it. However, it is God who brings forth the light. It is only through God that light can shine within us who are filled with darkness. Do not trade away the glory of God which is the only light that can shine in your heart. Those who fall into idolatry and trade away his glory will have their hearts darkened.

Romans 1:21

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

(v21, NIV)

These people Paul is talking about are the people who are idolaters as we read in verse 23. These things he is talking about in verse 21 and 22 are about idolaters. So what is it about idolaters that Paul wants his readers to know? First of all, they became futile in their thinking. They have exchanged the incorruptible God for something that is completely worthless by comparison. When you do that, your thinking becomes futile. Using your brain for something other than God is futile. It is useless and meaningless thinking that comes from one who is an idolater. You may argue that many who do not choose to follow and glorify God can and have use their brains for "good" purposes. It depends on your view of "good". Sure, maybe someone was healed by the use of a doctor's brain or maybe a criminal was arrested because of the use of a policeman's brain. It is also possible that the cure for some disease was discovered by a scientist's brain or maybe children were educated through the use of a teacher's brain. These are all "good" things, but where does it lead in the end? In the end, they'll all just die and go to hell. In our wickedness we are all just glorifying each other and glorifying ourselves. However, these who are being glorified will eventually just die and go to hell. I know it seems harsh, but what's the point? The fact of the matter is that "God is the universe's creator and sustainer plus the only savior; there is no one greater" (Shai Linne). The truth about God has been made known to everyone, yet people suppress the truth in their wickedness. Don't waste your thinking and efforts on anything other than God and his glory. He alone is worthy and anything less is futile.

All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"

The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."

Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

(Daniel 4:28-33, NIV)

John Piper uses this example to explain this futility in thinking. King Nebuchadnezzar has this dream and Daniel interprets it for him. What happens in verses 28-33 is the fulfillment of that dream. King Nebuchadnezzar uses his brain for himself in the glorification of himself. He isn't glorifying God or even thinking about God. God punishes him drives him from among men to become like an animal as was interpreted from his dream. He used his brain like an animal, so God made him to be like an animal.

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion;

his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

All the peoples of the earth

are regarded as nothing.

He does as he pleases

with the powers of heaven

and the peoples of the earth.

No one can hold back his hand

or say to him: "What have you done?"

At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

(Daniel 4:34-37, NIV)

That's not the end of the story. Do you not thank or glorify God? Do you live a life glorifying yourself? Did you make the same mistake king Nebuchadnezzar did? Well, reading the rest of the story, king Nebuchadnezzar turned from his ways. Instead of glorifying himself, he looked to heaven and glorified God. As a result, God restored his sanity. There is hope for him who glorifies himself. However, as we read on in Romans, we read about a God who gives people over to sinful desires and shameful lusts. Don't think you have forever and don't think it's a light issue. Give God the glory he deserves and turn from your wickedness. Otherwise, one thing that will happen is that you'll become futile in your thinking.

Romans 1:23

and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

(v23, NIV)

I did skip a few verses, but those verses and this one make up the next section. This next section is about idolatry. Here in verse 23, we can see this dark exchange. Idolatry is the exchange of God for images. These images pale in comparison to God. Even so, people still do it and it's terrible. It may seem like a good idea, but it is not. This exchange is just a bad trade because instead of God, you're just getting an image. This image is so very less valuable than God. It's not just an image, but an image made to look like mortal man. Man is the image of God. But that's not what you're getting; you're getting an image made to look like mortal man. What you're getting in exchange for God is so far removed from God that it's just a bad trade. These images that you're getting are corruptible, but what you gave up was incorruptible. God and his glory are incorruptible, and exchanging the incorruptible for the corruptible is a poor trade. Do not trade it away.

Romans 1:18-21

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 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 men are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

(v18-21, NIV)

So, everybody knows the truth about God. The problem is that they suppress this truth in unrighteousness. You can't really argue and say that you never heard this truth because God has made it evident to you. You may not think that it has been made known to you because you are simply suppressing the truth. What's also interesting is that as we look to verse 21, these people did not honour God or give him thanks. God is great and worthy of praise. He and his qualities have been clearly seen. He is worthy of our honour and thanks. Yet, knowing of his eternal power and divine nature, they did not honour or thank him. So, having been made aware of God and not thanking him, they are without excuse. There is no excuse because God has made himself known.

What's interesting about God making it known is that it's like a poem. In fact, the Greek word there is where we get the word "Poem" from. If you read a poem, it implies that there was someone who wrote that poem. You wouldn't read a poem in the sand and think that the wind caused this to occur. That would only be plausible if there were someone guiding the wind as the creator of the poem. Similarly, one way God reveals himself is in the poem of his creation. There are many who look at the creation and argue for evolution and random chance. However, they are suppressors of the truth that God has made plain to them. They are without excuse.

Romans 1:18-19

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

(v18-19, NIV)

There's this truth about God that people know. Unfortunately, people suppress this truth in unrighteousness. Now some may object saying that some do not know this truth. If someone never heard or knew of this truth, it wouldn't be their fault, would it? Unfortunately, that's not a valid excuse. The truth is evident to them. You can argue all you want that you never knew it, but you refuse to admit that you knew it because you suppress the truth. The truth is evident to you; you have no excuse. You can argue all you want with others or with God, but it is evident to you. In fact, God has made it evident to them. God is the one who makes plain the truth about himself. He reveals the truth about himself to all. He makes it plain, so they are without excuse. You have no excuse, you who suppress the truth, because the truth was made evident to you by God.

Romans 1:18c

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

(v18, NIV)

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 men are without excuse.

(v20, NIV)

Men are suppressing the truth. What is this truth? Looking to verse 20, Paul is talking about God's invisible qualities that have been clearly seen. The truth that is being suppressed is the truth about God. God's eternal power and divine nature are being suppressed. People don't want to face the truth about God. God is eternal and powerful, but people don't want to accept that. People love their sin too much. This is why they suppress it. They suppress it in wickedness. They suppress the truth about God in their sin because they love their sin so much. I don't need to be convinced of this, I can just look at myself. How easy and how often do I distort or disregard the truth because I am in love with sin? Look at yourself and you'll find it easy to recall situations when you've done something because of your wickedness. We are born with an allegiance to ourselves. So we often do things in opposition to God to better ourselves. I may twist the truth about lying in order to make myself feel better about lying to others. That's odd in itself: I lie to myself in order to justify lying to others. But do you want to be one of these people? These are the people whom God is revealing his wrath to. Embrace the truth and live in the truth. Do not deceive yourselves.

Romans 1:18b

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

(v18, NIV)

The wrath of God is being revealed. This isn't just referring to a future revealing of wrath; this refers to a current revealing of wrath. God's wrath is now being revealed. How is this revealed? One way is that it is revealed through death. People die and we are all going to die eventually. Death is a result or response to sin. In addition, God's wrath is revealed through suffering and human degradation. But, what's the hope? What are we to do? Looking back to verses 16 and 17, we remember that the gospel is the power of God for salvation. His righteousness is revealed and the righteous shall live by faith.

This still doesn't answer some questions. Well, I don't have all the answers, but as those eternally resting by grace through faith in the salvation he freely offers what do we make of death? What is our response to sin and suffering? We still face these things, but they are different to the believer. Death is not longer victorious over us, but instead opens the door for us to paradise. Suffering is no longer overbearing but instead we know that all things work together for the good of those who love him. Sin no longer ensnares us into a deeper hole, for the child of God does not continue in sin. We have greater and greater victory over sin. Trust and have faith in a God who is greater than all these things. However, we must still acknowledge and recall that God's wrath is being revealed in this world to the world.

Romans 1:18a

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

(v18, NIV)

The next section begins a long dark tunnel of sin and the depravity of man. It's not until chapter three that we finally reach the end of this tunnel. However, even though it's sad and dark and "oppressive", it's necessary. One of the main problems with spreading the gospel is not getting people saved, but getting people lost. People don't think or don't know that they need saving. We need saving from the wrath of God. His wrath is fully and justly upon us, and we cannot escape with our own strength. It is important to explore this long and dark tunnel because it's important to understand our lostness. So, do not be afraid, but embrace the truth. Would you rather hear your true condition or some fairy tale lie to make you feel better? If you had a treatable disease, wouldn't you want the doctor to tell you the truth so you could take treatment? Or would you instead prefer him to lie and make you think you're perfectly healthy? False diagnoses lead to false remedies. Take a dose of truth; it's recommended by God and the true followers of Him.

Romans 1:17

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

(v17, NIV)

Why does Paul reference Habakkuk? Well, in Habakkuk, God has just revealed that he will unleash the Chaldeans and they're going to come and destroy and take what's not theirs. This wave of wrath is upon them at God's command and they cannot do anything about it to escape it. Is there any hope for them? Habakkuk can't understand how or why God would allow this. In response to his second complaint, God mentions this line that Paul quotes. The righteous will live by faith is what Paul quotes. Apparently, scholars argue whether Paul misquotes this verse or not. Some say he is too loose with the text, making it mean what he wants it to mean. Regardless of whether he is or not, the fact remains that we must live by faith. In Habakkuk, the Chaldeans are coming upon them and they cannot escape it. This is initiated by God and thus it is God approved. In the same way, we are under God's righteous wrath. There is no way for us to escape it, for all have sinned and fall short of his glory. There is nothing that we can do to save ourselves by our own will or work. The only thing we can do and the only thing those in the time of Habakkuk could do is to live by faith. We must live and trust in God because we can do nothing in our own strength.

1 King 17-21 - Elijah

Elijah was the only prophet of Lord verses many prophets of other gods. It reminds me that our number is small but we are always victory in the name of Jesus, son of God, and the only true God in the universe as He created this universe and everything.

As a human Elijah to take up such a big responsibility, it is always not easy. He cried out to God, he seek God for understanding, and God listened to his prayer and God provide everything he needed.

We too sometimes face many spiritual and physical difficulties in life; sometimes we don't understand God's plan, but we just need to depends on Him, do everything in life that is pleasing to Him, and our life will be long, according to His will. Keep ourself from idols.

Romans 1:16-17b

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

(v16-17, NIV)

How is this righteousness from faith to faith as NASB puts it? As we read here in NIV it says, by faith from first to last. This righteousness refers to his imputed righteousness on us. In addition, Paul seems to be referring to future saving with regards to the gospel here in verse 16 and 17. This is the power of the gospel to save believers and keep them till the Day of Judgment. This faith to faith or faith from first to last refers to the keeping of faith. When we are saved, we are saved by grace through faith. We meet with faith initially, but God's saving work of his gospel of grace is powerful enough to continue us through increasing faith. You may argue that some fall away, but we know that those who fall away prove to never have been of us. God keeps those he saves, and those he saves he grows their faith. This keeping and strengthening of God in his Gospel is what is being referred to when he says "by faith from first to last".