Romans 1:19-21: "The Creative Evidence of God"

Paul had just told us that the wrath of God is real, and is being poured out upon all who do not glorify Him and give Him the proper honor due to Him. Paul understands that some may argue that it is not fair or just for God to pour out His wrath on those who do not know Him, or have never heard of Him. Paul answers this question in v.19-21.

From the very first created human, God has planted within each person the idea of Him. We do not need the Word of God to know that He exists. It is embedded within us, as if it were in our DNA. Adam and Eve walked in communion with God from the very beginning. They knew who their creator was, and knew what He required of them. We are told "that which is known about God is evident within them". We have it inside all of us, it is written on our hearts that God exists, and we are also told how we received the information: "for God made it evident to them". Paul first appeals to the internal evidence of God. God gives each one of us the understanding of who He is, within each one of us. This is further explained in Rom. 2:14-15, "For when the Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them . . ." We are also told in Ecc. 3:11 that God has, "set eternity in their heart". God is a fair God, and has given all of us the opportunity to know Him. MacArthur explains, "No one can find God on his own initiative or by his own wisdom or searching. Yet God has never left man to his won initiative and understanding but has graciously provided anbundant evidence of Himself. He has sovereignly and universally made Himself evident to men."

God did not only make Himself evident in us, but also outside of us. One of the most tellings displays of God is His beautiful creation. For us to gaze out at a sunset, or view the majesty of a towering wave, or see the amazing miracle of life, is to see and know God. Paul tells us "for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen". God has made His evidence overwhelming and accessible to anyone. Since the beginning, all men and women have been given the gift of life, the beauty of the earth, and the ability to reason. All these things add up to a perfect case for God. Therefore, we are each held accountable to God in eternity. David tells us in Ps. 19:1, "the heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands". David, who lived before the invention of microscopes and telescopes, was able to understand that just by looking to the heavens, you could hear the shouts of the glory of God. I could go on and on with the countless number of earthly showings of God's glory. Each one distinctively gives us insight into God's nature, and leads us towards HIm. And all of this leads Paul to declare that "they are without excuse." God gives us ample opportunity to know Him, and yet we fail to give Him the glory due His name. Because God has given us evidence of God inside and outside of us, we will have no excuse before God when we face Him. In fact, for those who refuse to recognize God on earth, will no doubt have to face their reality when they see who they know existed all their lives. Philippians 2:10 says, "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father". For some it will be too late that they give God the glory, but none of them will have an excuse because of all the light they have been given. MacArthur commentates, "Except to a mind willfully closed to the obvious, it is inconceivable that such power, intricacy, and harmony could have developed by any means but that of a Master Designer who rules the universe . . . even a pagan should be able to discern with the psalmist that sure the One who made the ear and the eye is Himself able to hear and to see (Ps. 94:9). If we can hear, then whoever made us surely must understand hearing and seeing . . .men are judged and sent to hell not because they do not live up to the light evidenced in the universe, but because ultimately that rejection leads them to reject Jesus Christ."

Paul goes on to also say that "for even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks;" Everyone knows there is a God, but it is our response to Him that decides whether we will spend eternity with Him or not. Just to say you know God means nothing, that is something that is evident to all (whether they admit it or not). James 2:19 says, "You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." Obviously, the demons are not saved, yet they believe in God. This shows us that it is our response to God that decides our eternity. Paul tells us what a proper response to the knowledge of God is and that is to "honor Him as God". This word honor can also be translated 'glory'. Those who refuse to give God the glory He deserves will one day be without excuse. MacArthur states, "Man was created to glorify God and for him to fail to give God glory is therefore the ultimate affront to his Creator." Jer. 13:15-16, "Listen and give heed, do not be haughty, for the Lord has spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God, before He brings darkness and before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains, and while you are hoping for light He makes it into deep darkness, and turns it into gloom." God is giving us opportunity to give Him the honor and glory He deserves, Paul begs us not to reject this revelation and deny Him his due. Not only do we not honor Him, but we do not give Him thanks. We are a people of ingratitude for all God has done. We are like those in Israel when they were rescued from the oppression of the Egypt by God, and they complained against God because they were tired and did not have food in the wilderness. MacArthur explains, "Although God is the source of every good thing that man possess - giving rain, sun, and other natural blessings to the just and unjust alike . . . the natural man fails to thank Him because he fails even to acknowledge His existence." These men that do not give God His due glory, and do not give Him the thanks He deserves, is hopelessly lost in his "futile speculations". They are living a false life that tries to make themselves god (since they refuse to give credit to the true God). Believing they are god and have no one to answer to gives them false and futile hope in nothing. The only thing true in all the universe they have rendered as false, therefore, leading themselves to futile speculations. Lastly, Paul explains that due to rejecting God, "their foolish heart was darkened". MacArthur further explains, "The foolish heart that rejects and dishonors God does not become enlightened and freed, as sophisticated unbelievers like to claim, but rather becomes spiritually darkened and further enslaved to sin. The person who forsakes God, forsakes truth, light, and eternal life, as well as meaning, purpose, and happiness. He also forsakes the foundation and motivation for moral righteousness." If we reject God He will allow our hearts to be darkened as we choose against His ways.

We must make sure that we not only recognize God as creator, but that we recognize Him for who He is: that is Lord of our life and Saviour of our souls. We must give God the glory and thanks for all He does, for if we do not, He will give us over to the desires of our lives and our hearts will be darkened and on the day of judgment we will be without excuse.