Paul writes not only about God’s revelation of righteousness in the gospel, but also about God’s revelation of wrath.

Romans 1:18-32 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were they thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.  Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.  Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions.  For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.  Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.  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; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

There is certainly a lot going on in these verses.  Let’s try to break it down in order to understand it better.  Essentially the whole passage is under the heading of “a revelation of God’s wrath.”  Underneath that revelation of wrath there are two primary sections.  First there is a rejection of the knowledge of God.  Second, there is a three-fold “giving over” by God of those people who have rejected knowledge of Him.  It seems to be the entire process that is the revelation of wrath.  Now let’s take a closer look at each section.

In vv. 18-23 Paul outlines the clear rejection of the available knowledge of God by those who deny Him.  First, note the method of denial.  The truth of God is suppressed in “unrighteousness,” or in sin.  This seems to be a good indicator that rejection of God is never done in a neutral or objective manner, rather it is done via the avenue of sin.  This agrees with John’s Gospel which reminds us that the people “loved the darkness more than the light,” and the reason was that their “deeds were evil.”  Now the question must be answered concerning what is being denied and where it is being denied.  Well, the text is pretty clear about what is being suppressed, namely God’s eternal power and deity.  Concerning where this knowledge comes from, Paul writes that “it is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.”  He also writes that they “are clearly understood by the things that are made.”  Let’s be clear here that the revelation of knowledge here is coming from God.   It just so happens that sometimes He chooses to channel His revelation through the creation, the rocks, the mountains, and the trees.  Yes, the Scriptures speak of the heavens declaring the glory of God, but this is an anthropomorphism (attributing a human action to a non-human entity.)   Thus, I think that we should understand this as God revealing himself within their own persons and all around them through creation.  This type of revelation is often spoken of as “general” or “natural” revelation as opposed to the “special” revelation given by God in the Scriptures.  It is interesting to note what people do with this revelation.  They deny it, and they attribute worship which should be for God towards images of creatures.  What is God’s response?

Here is where the three-fold giving over occurs.  Three times Paul uses the same exact word referring to God’s dismissal of those who have dismissed Him.  To summarize, this giving over involves the knowledge of those who have denied Him and the actions of those who have denied Him.  The judgment of God appears here not as fire like it did in Sodom, nor as a wasting disease as many have speculated concerning HIV, but rather as a relegation to a debased mind and a debased lifestyle.  In other words, God’s judgment here is the simple allowance of this lack of right thinking and right action.  The very truth that people are living these types of lifestyles is judgment in itself.  Why?  Because God has given them over to something destined to the inability to see and appreciate the value of His glory.  This must be seen in reference to the first revelation in Romans, the revelation of God’s grace through the gospel.  Why is this judgment so terrible?  Because these people are resigning themselves to think and live in such a way as to avoid that which is truly satisfying.  I believe this is the true pain of hell, not that there is physical heat and physical pain - which is terrible - but that there is separation and an inability to reach that which truly satisfies and quenches the thirst of the soul.

I guess the only conclusion I have now in light of the coming New Year and the likely “resolutions,” is to plead with everyone to resolve to drink deeply of God’s revelation of grace in the gospel.  When we drink from broken cisterns, there is this danger of avoiding that which is truly satisfying.  Let us look for God’s revelation everywhere; in His word, in His creation, in nature, in each other.  Drink deeply of His knowledge that He has so graciously shared with us, and strive to alert others to the presence of this revelation.  Only in the knowledge and presence of God will we find true joy and satisfaction.