2. GOOD NEWS NEEDED - FOR ALL ARE CONDEMNED (Romans 1:18 to 3:20)

Here is a dark and painful account of a pagan, sinful world.

They are inexcusable because:

They suppress the truth in unrighteousness. (Romans 1:18 )
What may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has shown it to them. (Romans 1:19 ).
God was known in creation (Romans 1:20 ). (Also Psalm 19:1 ).
God was known in conscience, but the sinner refused to listen.

Romans 1:21 "because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."

Romans 1:28 "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;"

Important to understand that sinners chose not to glorify God or retain Him in their knowledge. When mankind turned to paganism it was not in ignorance - it remains the same with sinners today.

Romans 1:24 "Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,"

Note the repetition in verse 24 and verse 28 "God also gave them up" "God gave them over". After a long time of striving with man, God permitted sinful man to run loose to his own destruction.

Moral depravity chosen over knowledge of God. One of the consequences of refusing God's plan for life is homosexual activity which is condemned by the Scriptures (Romans 1:26-28; Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13 ), and is contrary to the gospel. (1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10 ). But homosexuals can be saved through faith in Christ and can know deliverance like other sinners. (1 Corinthians 6:11 ).

Rejection of God and His standards also leads to being evil and wicked in character, and unbridled greed (Romans 1:28-29 ), also to corrupt relationships resulting in envy, murder, deceit, and awful malice (Romans 1:30-31 ). Willing sinners are so debased that they publicly approve things they know God has condemned.

Read this list of sins (Romans 1:24-31 ) and see how low man can fall. The media gives accounts of these sins prevalent in a godless society today, showing what happens when people and nations turn their backs on the living God. As solemnly declared:-

Romans 1:18 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, ..."

There is no hope for fallen, sinful man outside of Christ.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Can you rehearse the main argument that shows Gentile sinners to be inexcusable (Romans 1:18-32 )?

2. What unnatural moral consequences of sin are excused in the media today (Romans 1:26-28 )?