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“ Summary, Part 4 (final) ” 5. The general revelation is adequate to condemn men, but inadequate to bring them to the saving knowledge of God. This is why Paul begins his letter to the Romans with that general revelation. But before he brings the Gospel, he has to explain the ugly background of sin. 6. Let us proclaim these truths with boldness and compassion. In this darkening society, we ought not be ashamed of He Who wasn't ashamed of us.
Ian Migala (1/7/2014)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 3 ” It is not immune to the defilements of sin (TITUS 1:15, 1 TIMOTHY 4:3), but it is still not erased. As Adam covered himself and ran away from God after he fell, so do sinners today. Who told Adam he was naked? His conscience. CONCLUDING POINTS: 1. All men have a conscience, even if it judges wrongly or imperfectly. All men have a faculty of judgment, a standard of right and wrong. The continuing distortion of God’s truth is a further distortion of the conscience. 2. The sinners’ defense of gross sin is confirmation of a working consciousness. The fact of the conscience takes the pleasure of sin and makes it painful. Why do sin’s advocates defend themselves so loudly? Because they are shouting down the wrath of God that they know is coming. That revelation is actually a mercy, because God is speaking to them at that moment. 3. The wicked deny the existence of God to overthrow the accusations of the guilty conscience. If they succeed (which is impossible), then they can conclude that the conscience is not of Him. 4. Since the wicked cannot deny God’s existence, they devise false religions to appease their guilty conscience.
Ian Migala (1/7/2014)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 2 ” Three things about sinners’ response to God’s ordinance: 1) The Content: “they which commit such things are worthy of death.” God has ordained that death for these practices is just punishment. 2. The Universal Awareness: “knowing the judgment of God.” This knowledge is a deep conviction more than a conscious one (since they suppress it). But despite it, they violate it anyway. 3. The Brazen Disregard: “not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” As we say, misery loves company. Without saving grace, sinners find relief in others who commit their same sins. It’s worth pointing out that the sins of verses 29-31 have the characteristic of meriting God’s abandonment, of taking down cultures. II. ROMANS 2:14-15. How do pagans know that they’re condemned by God? Paul asserts two things: 1. The Fact of Conscience. All men have one. We all possess the sense of moral standard, duty, and judgment. Despite the proud self-righteousness of the wickedest men, they know in their hearts that they are guilty before God. 2. The Witness of Conscience. The conscience isn't silent. It accuses or condemns based on one’s conformity to its standard. The law, like our conscience, defines right and wrong, obliges right and discourages wrong, and rewards right and condemns wrong.
Ian Migala (1/7/2014)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 1 ” In the spirit of establishing truth by the testimony of at least two witnesses, we establish the truth of God’s existence as revealed in the human conscience by the witness of two texts. I. ROMANS 1:32. God’s existence is revealed in general revelation (available to all) and specific revelation (the Bible). Romans 1:18-23 shows that general revelation includes the human conscience. In the rest of the chapter, Paul details the spiritual descent. In suppressing their knowledge of God, sinners are given to sexual impurity (verses 24-5), then sexual depravity (verses 26-7), then moral insanity (verses 28-32). This mind, also known as the depraved mind, is destitute of judgment. Keep in mind that this passage explains people “thinking themselves wise”. It is characteristic of pagan society under God’s wrath. It is not an honest mistake by people seeking truth, but a sinful choice by people suppressing truth. Having forsaken God, they become God-forsaken. In verses 29-31, Paul lists the characteristics common to these people. In verse 32, he reveals the conclusion of this moral insanity: committing sin with encouragement, even while still proclaiming divine judgment. This could have been written today because men don’t change, no matter their surroundings.
