Man’s Rejection Of God

Romans 1:18-23

I will probably never forget a woman I know expressing her anger toward her father for telling her “as long as you but your feet under my table you live by my rules,” when she was about sixteen. Forty years later she was still angry, and last time we talked she was still resentful. She ignored the fact that because of her age he was still responsible for her actions, that he had paid for her food, her home, her clothes, and her schooling for sixteen years, and had given her life. Interestingly, she is far harsher and more demanding with her grandchildren than her father ever was with her.

Like the lady, mankind has rebelled almost constantly against God, with a few exceptions. That they owe their very existence to him, that he owns the world they live in, and provides the air they breathe never occurs to them. They brag of earning their own living, never recognizing that they have the health and the opportunity to work is because he made it available. They claim rights as citizens of our country, based on the Declaration of Independence which declares them to be “God given,” but deny his very existence, and refuse to heed his advice or instructions.

After creation, mankind rebelled to such a degree that God could no longer put up with their rebellion. Initially, he just limited their life span to stop the ongoing rebellion. Genesis 6:3 states, “And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”

New generations continued to rebel and the wickedness grew. Genesis 6:5-7 describes the situation. “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.”

Only one man, Noah appreciated what God had done and paid attention, so God had Noah build an ark to save samples of all life. He then sent a flood to destroy those who had rebelled. Genesis 7:23 describes the result. “And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.”

About two hundred years after the flood, man again rebelled, building the tower of Babel in an attempt to prevent fulfilling Gods command to fill the whole earth in Genesis 1, by keeping everyone together. God destroyed the alliances and scattered them.

God has repeatedly destroyed nations for their wickedness, and warned that one day he would again destroy life from the earth, using fire rather than water next time. Mankind has chosen to ignore warnings as II Peter 3:5-10 warns. “For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

God has delayed judgment to give individuals the opportunity to turn back, knowing that mankind as a whole will not. He cannot bear to look upon the sin, but he is willing to forgive anyone who will turn from their sin. Judgment will come.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:18-21)

Slightly over 50% of modern working research scientists claim to believe in God, saying their findings force to accept his existence. Over 90% of theoreticians and college professors, on the other hand, claim they do not. Paul says that everyone can learn enough about God from observing the natural things around us to come to him. Acts 17:27 makes it clear he will reveal himself to anyone who looks. Choosing to ignore God, man has tried to replace him with things God made. They worship other men, animals, birds, earth, planets or stars, or even education or science.

“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” (Romans 1:22-23)

Throughout history, far more effort has been devoted to diverting man’s attention from God than to finding the truth, by religious organizations as well as secular governments. Many ridiculous positions have been adopted as a result. They cannot plead ignorance when they have chosen not to know. It is significant that the word ‘agnostic’ means “against knowing”.