8-10-2024        The state of man – and why!

            

Romans 1:1-32, 2:1-3

Paul has yet to visit Rome but in his opening statements to the Romans, he shoots straight from the hip.  He paints a picture of how ‘far off track’ the world has become (in his time).  Paul is making an attempt to shake the church up because the ‘church’ was doing the same things as the world and thinks that they are innocent because they are in the church.

Let’s see what Paul has to say about the condition of the situation.

1:1-6                Paul establishes who Jesus is and who he, himself, is.   Jesus fulfills the law by coming into this world as a ‘man’ with the purpose of bringing us eternal life (saving us from eternal death).  Paul reminds the Romans (as well as us) that they are a part of this salvation plan.

V7-12              Paul tells the Romans that they (and we) are beloved of God, called to be His saints (note; all believers are called to be saints).  In this letter, he speaks the peace and grace of God unto the people from God and Jesus (blessings – whatsoever we do, do in the name of Jesus [Col. 3:17]).  Though he has never met them, he prays for them that he may eventually come to them and establish (make their faith a surety) them by imparting some spiritual gift.

13-16               Paul professes that e is bound to share the gospel of Jesus to all men and desires to come to Rome.  Paul is not shamed of the gospel for it is the power of God to attain salvation, for all men (people, human beings, us).

V 17-20           God has shown Himself to man (yet man explains what God has done as scientific knowledge, but doesn’t science explain what and how God has done).  We see the righteousness of God through our faith and man shall live by faith (believe God is who He says He is and does what He says will do) and as humans, we express our faith through our works (James 2:18).  We understand God’s creation by studying God’s creation, those things we see and understand.  Though we understand the world around us, we fail to realize that it is God who has put it all together (Rev. 4:11).  So because of man’s intent to hold God’s righteousness in contempt, Father might get just a little upset (ask ourselves, when someone else gets the credit for something we have done, don’t we get hurt and maybe even a little angry?).

Now we get into how the world has ‘dissed’, disrespected God    

V21-32            The world knew about God (I knew all about You, but now I’ve seen You - Job 42:5) but did not glorify Him as God (supreme authority - Col. 1:3:16-17).  Man became wrapped in his own ideas and his foolish heart was darkened.  Man thought himself to be wise so he made images of things of this world to represent God.  So God let man pursue the unclean lusts of his own heart to dishonor their own bodies between themselves.  Man changed to truth of God into a lie and worshipped the creation more than the Creator!  God gave man over this own vile affections, men leaving the natural use of a woman and lusting after other men doing that which was not seemly (safe) and receiving the just reward for their actions. 

Because man did not want to keep God in his knowledge (or heart), Father gave them over to a reprobate mind (rejected, cast off – left to do their own thing) to do those things which are not convenient (right or correct).  Man became filled with unrighteousness, fornication (unlawful lust, idolatry, adultery), wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness (wickedness, depravity), envious, murderous, argumentative, deceitful, malignity (mischief, bad character), whisperers (gossipers), backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, boastful, proud, inventors of evil things,  disobedient to parents, becoming men without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affections, implacable (trucebreaker) and unmerciful, .

(They became men) Who know the judgements of God and that men who do these things are worthy of death (10 Commandments [Exod. 20:3-17).  Not only does man do these things but, he finds pleasure in doing them.

Romans 2:1-3            

Therefore, you are inexcusable, O man, for you are guilty of doing those very things for which you judge others (not talking about a legal court here but attitudes).  We know that the judgment of God rightly comes upon people.  Do you think, O man, when you judge others, yet you do the same thing that you will escape God’s judgment?

Look at what Paul is telling the Romans (and us)!  All the hypocrites in the church, and I mean all those who practice religion and not living a faith, but think that they are all okay because they do the right things.  What did Jesus have to say about that? 

Matt. 23:1-27 (in summary)

Jesus starts by blasting the scribes and Pharisees because they tell the people the right things to do and these things should be observed.  BUT, they make themselves look good before man yet lay grievous tasks upon the people.  They enjoy being called ‘rabbi’ and enjoy all the perks that come along with that.  Now, “Rabbi” is the Greek word rhabbi (G4461) which means ‘master’, but it is an official title.  Its root word is the Hebrew rab (H7227) which is also means master but carries the connotation of abounding, plentiful, etc. (in God’s word).  In other words, a Rabbi is one who knows God’s word inside and out (or should).  Because of their position (in Jesus’ time) Too many of them put themselves way above everybody else.  They enjoyed the ‘pomp and circumstance’ of the position while caring little for those around them.  They stressed the acts of man while neglecting the condition of man’s heart.  Jesus tells us to make our heart sure and our spirit clean so that our outside will be a reflection of what is on the inside (v27).  Take note, that our outside IS a reflection of our inside (who we truly are).  Why do you think Jesus called them a whited sepulchers (v27)?

So we see that the ‘state’ of man is nothing new, even among our leadership.  The saying goes that ‘history’ repeats itself.  This includes the church. 

The presence of God was with Israel as they travelled between Egypt and the promised land?  When Father had done something wonderful for them, Israel rejoiced.  Yet, how long did it take them to complain when things weren’t going so wonderful?  Read Exodus! 

The state of man is nothing new but unfortunately, neither has the attitude changed much over the centuries, the millennia.  At least not for the better.  The things we do (our ‘toys’) have progressed from primitive to more technological but what about our heart?

When we take note of how man’s view of God was in the 1960’s and compare it to today.  Have we progressed to better things?  Technologically, yes.  But, again, what about our heart?  Has the ‘world’ been trying to erase God from man’s thinking? His heart?

The first (and greatest) commandment is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (Mark 12:30).  The second commandment , or should I say ‘the second part of a single commandment, is to love other people as ourselves (Mark 12:31).  The Law God gave us and all those prophets over the centuries, who came to us, depend on and reflect Go’s love!

Even in today’s church, as a whole, has man truly become more spiritual?  “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”.  Has it really?

God is love (1 John 4:8), but He is also righteous (Psalm 145:17, Rom. 3:22).  Though those who have not given their heart to God will discover that their names are not written in Father’s Book of Life (the Lamb’s Book of Life – Rev. 21:27) but will discover that the ‘lake of fire and brimstone’ is their final destination (Rev. 20:10-15). 

Yet, though Father desires that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9), there is a condition.  Whosoever believes on the only begotten on of God will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).  Father has provided the way!  When we confess Jesus with our mouth and believe in our heart that Father raised Him from the dead, we shall be saved (Rom. 10:9).  For we believe to become righteous and confess so that Father will accept us (be saved) (Rom. 10:10).

We see that God’s kingdom is (or should be) in our heart (Luke 17:20-21).  Our heart should be filled with the love of God.  should we share that love with those whom we encounter? 

So just what is the state of man?  And why?

Amen?