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Romans 1:18-19
In Romans 1:18-19 the Apostle Paul changes gears from telling of his strength in preaching the gospel of Christ Jesus to giving an explanation of the revelation of God’s wrath. Paul explains that, “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven” (Romans 1:18, NKJV), but he also notes in Romans 1:18 that God’s wrath that is being revealed from heaven is, “against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” This is to those who are aware of God’s righteousness but yet refuse to share it with others. This is to those who are aware of the truth as it is revealed to us by God but refuse to accept God’s truth and refuse to share the truth of God to others.
Paul also tells us why, “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). In Romans 1:19 Paul tells us that it is, “because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” In other words, these people in which God is revealing His wrath are aware of God’s ultimate plan of salvation in Christ Jesus for all who will believe in Him (Romans 1:16-17) but are not bringing glory to God as they are not sharing the gospel with others. And in all finality the proof is given that “God has shown it to them” (Romans 1:19b) which leaves no excuse for those who will be the recipients of God’s wrath.
This is a promise of the wrath of God being revealed to those who suppress the truth of God.
The truth of God is the gospel of Christ Jesus, and to put it even more directly we have the words of Jesus in John 14:6-7 (HCSB) as He proclaims, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
“If you know Me, you will also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” The last words of Jesus before He ascended to heaven in Acts 1:8 (NIV) are, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We are the witnesses of Jesus and of His gospel in the world today, and if we are not sharing His truth with others, then we are subjecting ourselves to be the recipients of His wrath. Jesus stated in Matthew 10:32-33 (ESV), “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”
Dear LORD,
Please help us to see that we are Your witnesses in the world today, and please give us the strength to stand tall in Christ Jesus and share the wonderful news of Christ Jesus with all who you put in our paths. But please help us to also be courteous to others as it is not our job to force Your gospel upon them but to share it with them out of love for them. Please help us to be aware that everyone will not be receptive to Jesus, but even so we should continue to show them the love and kindness that You have shown to us, that we would be reflective of Jesus to everyone as it is the job of Your Holy Spirit to convict and save; our job is to share the gospel with all who will allow us, and let You take over from there. In Jesus name I pray, amen.