THE WRATH OF GOD AGAINST GODLESSNESS AND WICKEDNESS

Text: Romans 1:18 -32

*For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth*

Romans 1:18 ESV

Today's reading presents in exhaustive detail, the wicked  and ungodly acts of mankind for which God holds them to judgement. It begins by laying emphasis on the fact that God's judgement is revealed. This goes to say that people of all ages have tasted in varying degrees, the righteous judgements of God Against Godlessness And Wickedness. This judgement will however culminate in what Jesus will do at his second appearing. 

God has never been absent. He is present in nature and in our family/communal lives. Even those who are ignorant of his existence can attest that a powerful and divine hand controls the universe. Hence, he points out that man has no excuse. For even their very nature itself demands righteousness. Therefore anyone who claims that he doesn't know what is right or wrong is a liar.

Unfortunately, the knowledge of good and evil did not stop man from tilting towards sin and evil. First in the detestable list is sexual perversion. God has a strong aversion to this. For this very sin he overthrew the Amorites living in the land of Canaan. Today, verses 24, 26 and 28 declare one thing; God gave them up to a reprobate/debased mind to commit all sorts of evil. 

Many nations have legally approved sexual relationship between a man and a man, woman and a woman. But today as we hear God's word may we not harden our hearts. Homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality are all perversion. People who engage in them are sexual perverts. They have bluntly declared themselves enemies of God. For they have traded natural affections for the unnatural. Moreover all who in any way support them God will hold to account. We are told in Ephesians 5:11 "take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness instead expose them".  

Nevertheless, it is important to note that aside sexual perversion, God  strongly disapproves all forms of ungodliness namely; covetousness (greed), malice, envy, murder, strife, deceit, gossip, slander, insolence, blasphemy, haughtiness, boasting, disobedience (especially to parents), ruthlessness, faithlessness, and heartlessness. God allowed Paul to pen down this exhaustive list, so we should be careful to outline them so, calling each by its name and hating it. 

There is an interesting question in Job 22:2 "can a man be profitable unto God?"And he answers;  "surely, he that is wise is profitable unto himself". The people who engage in immorality and sexual perversion what is their gain? All the harm, sicknesses and diseases they cause themselves by engaging in illicit sex, drugs, abortion, and use of all sorts of contraception d,  wrong stuffs etc on their bodies, who suffers it? God or them? Many even today are still wise in their own eyes so they try to recreate themselves from men to women. But, God says to man, *behold, the fear of God that is wisdom and to turn away from evil is understanding"* Job 28:28.

Beloved, righteousness means a disciplined life in God. It is the upright conduct of one's life in a manner that is in consonance with God's standards, reflecting our relationship with Jesus. So what? Examine yourself today, where are you falling short? To live right, ask God to create in you a clean heart. Ask him to recreate His  holy and right spirit within you. He is ever ready to answer a prayer from a contrite and a broken heart.

🙏Father, for grace to abhor sin for what it is and pursue after righteousness and holiness in the fear of God in Jesus name, Amen.