"So They are Without Excuse."

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, ...” (Romans 1-18-32 ESV)

If you showed someone at the zoo an elephant in an elephant paddock and they denied it was an elephant, what would you think? Would you think they were crazy? There is a picture of an elephant on a plaque attached to the paddock. There are other elephants in the paddock, and the one you are showing this person happens to be a very large bull elephant with giant tusks, yet they tell you that it is not an elephant, it is a snake. What would you do?

It is the same with those locked in the world controlled by Satan. It does not matter how clearly the gospel is presented to them, how many scriptures are revealed to them, or how one can provide the truth of the Word of God; they will refuse to believe it.

Paul tells us that it is their unrighteousness that suppresses the truth. God is revealed to us in many ways: what is plainly visible before our eyes in creation, and in the gospel call of many believers, who suppress the truth because they believe acknowledging it makes one responsible for their interactions or rejection of it. They believe that without acknowledging the truth, they are not held accountable. Paul, however, tells us “they are without excuse.” 

It is the power of the enemy that twists the mind. As he twists scripture, he also distorts one's view of truth, even societal truths, to cause conflict, much of it aimed at Christianity, law, and morality. But it is not only Satan who causes one to fail to grasp truth. Satan often attacks those who are in Christ, tempting them, twisting truth in an attempt to lead them away from Christ. However, for those who reject Christ, “those who are perishing,” God will prevent them from seeing the truth. We hear this from Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, regarding the “man of lawlessness.” Paul wrote, “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,  in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” This is part of God’s wrath towards those who reject the Lord and are evil.

This weekend, a Christian worship service in Minnesota was interrupted by protesters. A worship service! Reading the article, what they were saying, what they were doing, it was obvious they were under the control of the enemy. They were vilifying Christians. Imagine a group of protesters entering your worship service and calling names and accusing you of evil things, in the house of the Lord, no less. Their minds are truly under the control of Satan. As Christ said, we “will be hated because of His name.” Christ also said, “Those who endure to the end will be saved.”

My friends, when we look at what is happening in this world. All of the troubles, the wars, the protesting, the immorality, and the rejection of Christ know that this must occur. All of this is orchestrated or ordained by God for His purposes. God controls all things, both great and small (Psalm 148). Even the leaders of this world are under God’s sovereignty (Proverbs 21).

So, do not fret or be anxious over our society and the direction it is headed. To the contrary, have hope in Christ, in our God who fulfills all promises, in Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Blessed be the Lord our God.

Grace and Peace.