Lesson 381 - Senior
Memory Verse
"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" (Romans 1:20).
Cross References
I Fallen Man
1. The wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all unrighteousness, [ROM:1:18]; [ROM:2:8-9]; [HEB:10:27]; [REV:14:10].
2. Mankind in general has not heeded the witness of God, [ROM:1:19-21]; [PS:10:4-5]; [ACT:14:15-17].
3. Professing wisdom, men became fools in God's economy, [ROM:1:22-23]; [1CO:1:18-21], [1CO:1:25-27]; [JAM:3:15].
4. God disinherited unrepentant mankind, [ROM:1:24-25], [ROM:1:28]; [PRO:1:24-30]; [MAT:23:37]-.
5. Pleasure was taken in the very worst of evils, [ROM:1:29-32]; [PS:36:1-4]; [MAK:14:10-11].
II Inexcusable Man
1. All sins of all mankind are without excuse, [ROM:1:20]; [ROM:2:1]; [JHN:15:22].
2. God will render judgment to every man according to his deeds, [ROM:2:2-6]; [JER:17:10]; [MAT:16:27]; [2CO:5:10].
III Transformed Man
1. True godliness will result in an eternal reward, [ROM:2:7], [ROM:2:10]; [MAT:25:46]; [JHN:10:27-28]; [1JN:2:25].
2. There is no respect of persons with God, [ROM:2:11]; [ROM:10:12]; [JOB:34:18-19]; [MAT:5:45]; [ACT:10:34-35].
3. The doers of God's law shall be justified, [ROM:2:12-16]; [MAT:7:21]; [LUK:6:47-48]; [JAM:1:22-25].
Notes
"To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" [JAM:4:17]). God has placed a silent monitor, a conscience, into the heart of every person to inform him of what is right and wrong. It might be said that this conscience is an inherent knowledge of God, and God places great value upon this knowledge in every man's heart. He points out that the people who honestly follow the dictates of their conscience, even though they have no formal law of God by which to govern themselves, will stand and pass in God's judgment. Those who do not walk in the light of their conscience will be judged accordingly. The Bible, of course, is God's law, and all who have access to the Bible must measure their lives by that precious Word in order to gain God's approval and enter Heaven as their eternal home.
God's Revelation
Some men feel that the inherent knowledge of God in the heart of man and the inborn conviction that man should worship God are the greatest marks of difference between men and beasts. Some boast that they have no fear of God, that they do not believe in immortality, or eternity; but bring them face to face with the issue, and their actions belie their words. The saying during World War II, "There are no atheists in fox holes," was not an idle saying. When men faced death they prayed, in many instances in spite of former boasting. Why? Because God reveals Himself to every heart. "That which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them."
Inherent knowledge of God is not the only witness that God has given men of Himself. God can be seen in the things of creation " in the structure, plan, precise timing, variety, the magnitude of some things, and the minuteness of other things. Surely the handiwork of the Great Architect is plainly seen. God said that these things contained evidence enough to lead men to God, so that men are without excuse. The trouble lies in the fact that men have changed the "truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator."
Men would not use correctly the knowledge that God gave of Himself. When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful for the gifts and goodness that He gave. Trying to be wise and going beyond the revealed truths, the imaginations of men became vain and their foolish heart was darkened. "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." Is not that the true picture of worldly-minded men, today?
The Downward Course
People of former years forsook the revelation that God gave of Himself and turned to all sorts of idols. This course away from God led them into all manner of sin and debauchery, until no sin seemed too vile to practise. God did not pass over this wickedness, but justice was meted to the evildoer.
The people of this enlightened generation do not worship idols and images, perhaps; but a great proportion of humanity, refusing to serve God acceptably, have turned to gods of their own imagination. Many science-minded men have dethroned the God of Creation, and they have substituted the god of "just happened so" or "spontaneous generation" as the means by which the world and men came into existence. Immortality and the never-dying soul, some say, are out-dated ideas; but beware! Any man who disbelieves God's Word and believes such foolishness closes the door of Heaven upon himself.
Other people have replaced the God of love in their heart with the god of love for money. They have forsaken the true riches of Heaven and have tried to heap to themselves the vanishing treasures of earth. "Money will buy anything," is an expression often heard, but money will not buy peace of soul or mind, nor will it buy an eternal home with God. Still other people worship the gods of pleasure, position, power, opinions of friends, and a thousand other gods. The end result is just the same: those who forsake God become liable to all manner of sin. Read the catalogue of sins enumerated in [ROM:1:28-32]. These words were addressed to the people of the First Century, but they fit the people of the many other successive centuries just as fully as today. Many people think that their sins will not be judged, but the day is coming surely when divine justice will be meted to every sinner for every sin and act of disobedience committed.
"Justice" is an important word. "Justice" to the guilty means punishment, while to the guiltless "justice" means freedom. Divine justice to the sinner means eternal destruction. The sinner needs God's mercy, not justice.
Inexcusable
It is easy for one person to judge another's actions; whereas the one who judges, if placed in similar circumstances, might do even worse than the one judged. The more righteously a life is lived, the more quickly people want to judge him and find fault. It is easier to see a speck of dirt on a white garment than to see soiled spots on a dark garment. How many tried to find fault with the spotless, sinless life of the Son of God!
What does all this judging mean? Simply, that people have more light than they are willing to walk in. The person, who has enough knowledge to judge another has enough light to walk above such judgment, has enough light to repent of his own misdeeds. Some point out the other man's faults in order that their own faults might not be noticed. No amount of camouflage, smoke screen, or bluff that a man uses to hide his life will avail in God's judgment. None will escape that appointment, and a true record of all lives will be brought into the open. Divine justice will be given, and each individual will know better than anyone else that he received according to his deeds and light. Seeing these things are true, how careful should be the walk and talk of all who live upon earth!
Riches
In these days all sorts of wickedness, seemingly, can be committed without visible penalty; however, no one should be deceived by this. The Lord observes minutely every happening and every action of man. The riches of God's goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering are bountifully given to the children of men, though sinners, for one purpose: to lead them to repentance. If justice were received every time a man committed sin, all would die in their sins, for "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" [ROM:3:23]). The true Christian is enabled to live above sin only because God has given him a new heart and nature: "He is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" [2CO:5:17]). The riches of God's mercy sent Jesus Christ into this world, not to condemn the world, "but that the world through him might be saved" [JHN:3:17]). May the Holy Spirit cause everyone to examine his heart and make sure that God's riches are being received and used in the right way!
Wrath
Jesus said: "For he [the Father] maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" [MAT:5:45]). The Apostle states that God's goodness and forbearance and long-suffering are given to all men, but some men despise these riches. There is one inevitable end reserved for the person who goes through this life, beholding, partaking, and enjoying the innumerable mercies of God's love and yet will not repent of sin to serve God. That hard and impenitent heart treasures up unto himself "wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds."
All who are contentious and do not obey the truth, but walk in unrighteousness, in the day of divine justice will receive indignation and wrath. Tribulation and eternal hell will be the punishment for every soul of man who does evil. It is easy to see that the winner in this matter of divine justice is the man who renounces sin and turns his heart and life to God in love and service.
"Treasurest up unto thyself wrath." What an awful surprise package will be handed out to sinners in that day! All men are working for a treasure, either God's riches and love, or God's wrath. Each individual must choose between the two. May God help us to choose the treasure of God's love!
Eternal Life
Divine justice holds no terror to those who have been born again -" born of the Spirit and made new creatures through the Blood of Jesus -" and who are walking in the light of the Gospel. In that day God will render to them, "who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality," eternal life. Glory, honour, and peace will be given to every man who worketh good, "to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: for there is no respect of persons with God."
Questions
1. For what class of people is the wrath of God reserved?
2. In what ways has God revealed Himself to the children of men?
3. What happens when people will not serve God?
4. Why are men without excuse before God?
5. How will those people fare in the day of divine justice who pass judgment upon their fellow men?
6. Why are the riches of God's mercy granted to all men, even sinners?
7. What record will be granted to those who are faithful to God?
8. What will be given to the unfaithful?
9. How will God determine His faithful ones in the day of divine justice?