We think of the heathen of the world in terms of their knowing little to nothing about God’s truth with regard to the only way to redemption–to salvation. This brings to the lips of some the accusatory rant that God is unfair. They accuse that He sends people to eternal punishment who have never heard the gospel.
But God’s Word tells the following about those in even the darkest regions throughout human history.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For 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: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Romans 1:18–23)
In other words, mankind has no excuse because God reveals to all, no matter their uncivilized regions of the world and/or lack of information. God will never be unfair. All have enough inward information to know they need Him. When people instead carve out idols for themselves, they are deliberately rejecting the God who plants in the hearts of His creation called man the innate ability to know Him for their personal redemption.
The same is true of “civilized” heathen. I think of the Hollywood cabal who push God aside. They know Him, yet don’t know Him—that is, they don’t know Him as their Heavenly Father. They deliberately ignore and even, in some cases, cast Him and those who are Christians in derogatory roles.
Proof that they are made aware, however, comes through in the films they produce. We remember the Cecil B. DeMille movie, The Ten Commandments. It was quite accurate in its depiction of the Exodus account.
In Herman Wouk’s The Winds of War, the script writers had American naval officer Victor “Pug” Henry say something like, “Mankind is destined to kill each other in war until the Second Coming of Christ.”
The Hollywood people are aware that this fictional statement has played out in fact since World War II as murderous conflicts continue to this day. Killing in war is prophetically scheduled to become even more prolific as time moves forward toward Christ’s Second Advent. All of humanity’s interaction points starkly at Heaven’s foretold intervention into the affairs of mankind.
Hollywood was and is thoroughly aware of Jesus Christ and His coming again. They are without excuse.
There are no people on earth more under God’s assessment of being “without excuse” than the people of the United States.
There are churches on many corners of most cities. There are means of communications that pour out the gospel message every hour of every day. There are so many Bibles that it is the most published and sold volume ever in America and the world. Yet, it is probably one of the fewest read and studied.
But it is not only America that comes under God’s condemnation of being “without excuse.” Europe has long ago shut down most of its churches. Many are merely now museums for tourists to photograph while on vacation.
The results of this dismissal of Heaven’s authority are blatantly obvious in all the world, not just in our country. As pointed out in recent commentaries, Paul’s words tell of the foolhardiness and results thereof regarding people who turn their backs on the God who created them.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. (Romans 1:28)
Can there be any argument of substance against the proof that the Creator has turned this generation of God-deniers over to a “reprobate mind”?
The things we have witnessed in recent years offers evidence that would convict in any sane court of justice.
Government and the ideological left claim everything we do must be to protect the most innocent—the children. Regulations of every sort—in food production, medicine, and other such things—are in large part for children. Proposed gun control is so that the children can live happy and, above all, safe lives.
Yet that same government and leftist, hypocritical ideology declares it is their right to slaughter babies by the millions while still in their mothers’ wombs.
This, folks, is what qualifies as a prime example of what the God of Heaven calls the “reprobate mind.”
And we could go on and on telling things like teaching kindergartners about adult sexual activity, about letting porn-star transvestites who commit the most disgusting acts in film come before children as young as five to teach them about their abominable lifestyles.
So, mankind is without excuse. And all who do not know the Lord Jesus as Savior will suffer eternal condemnation because of their unbelief. Thus, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither was thankful.”
You, I—we all are without excuse. We all must come to Christ, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No person comes to the Heavenly Father but by Him (John 14:6).
Here is how you can make sure you are not under the condemnation “without excuse”:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9–10)
Terry James Prophecy Line 
Excellent. Amen.
Excellent commentary. Romans 1 has been evidence for mankind for centuries. When Christ used the examples of Noah and Lot in Luke 17, and Lot and Noah were more than 2000 years before Christ, it is clear that Jesus, God in the flesh, wanted mankind to understand that his coming one day would be reflect behavior like those 2 historical events. When we add in the WEF’s announcement of The Great Reset just as Covid 19 is locking down the world, the tech move for global tracking of all human life, and the history of the move toward a one world currency (See IMF’s Special Drawing Rights), only a person in total denial or blindness does not see mankind racing toward a world without God and facing enormous pain. The story has hundreds of clues for the second coming of Jesus, the Messiah, There are many, many prophecies throughout the entire Bible, written over 1500 years. “Be on alert..”
Isn’t it interesting that a connection between Noah and Lot is also seen today, in that the LGBTQ movement has adopted the rainbow from Noah’s day as their flag? And their movement is spearheaded by the slogan “PRIDE.”
Eze 16:49 – Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
The LGB . . . . bunch stole and corrupted the true meaning of the rainbow. It’s standard operating procedure for Satan and his minions and this is just another example of it.
Interesting, also, that “pride” was the reason of the devil’s downfall in the first place.
Excellent observations, Tracey
God WILL be fair. God will probably work out His fairness in ways that surprise you.
Appreciated and true. I preached God’s Word for years. In 1969 I could ask if a person was saved or knew the Lord. By the 1980’s Salvation had to be more throughly explained. By the 90’s the attitude seemed to indicate an indeferance to Jesus Christ and His Gospel!
AMEN brother Terry.
I was once made to feel the ‘weight’ of my sin.Standing in my back yard, I felt as if I was standing alone in the middle of a huge sports arena. Suddenly it was as if the sound system was switched on. The air was ‘electrified’. I could ‘feel’ the accusation of my sins. I could hardly stand under the weight nd was literally bowed down by them, scarcely able to breathe. I tried to justify my actions but I could not.
I cannot remember the outcome clearly but although most of what I had done was done and nothing could be done but regret it. However there was one sin which remained. It was secret and no-one knew about it . I resolved to confess that sin. I did later and to my surprise nothing eventuated. Having made confession to my boss, He dismissed me from his room saying he was busy. I walked out of there on ‘cloud nine’. I said outside, Satan you can no longer hold me a prisoner. I am free and you cannot accuse me. What a feeling!
Sin takes its toll, one way or another. Some still await judgement but it will come. I am glad Gods love made me deal with mine. Before I was born He knew me and He had a better plan for my life. (Romans 8:28-30)
Best part of all, Harvey, is that he has an even better plan for you in eternity in his presence!
God does not rip people off.
I believe he makes his judgment based on a person’s cognitive ability and the information available to that person at the time. The OT believers went to the paradise side of Sheol (i.e. Abraham’s bosom, Luke 16:22) because Jesus had not yet come. We know that they will be present in heaven because Jesus told us this:
Matthew {8:11} And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
Here is the evidence that Jesus descended to paradise and then took these OT believers to heaven:
Matthew {27:52} And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, {27:53} And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Another thing we learn about God’s fairness is this from Jesus:
Luke {12:47} And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not [himself,] neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes.]{12:48} But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes.] For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Based on this, organized religion which was charged with truthfully delivering God’s Word, will get the worst punishment of all – and rightly so.
This world has been disrespecting God ever since the Fall and it has gotten only worse.
Perhaps this says it all best:
Revelation 16:7b . . . . Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous [are] thy judgments.
The results of a reprobate mind are seen in Romans 1:29-31 which accurately depicts what we see in the culture today. A reprobate mind ignores truth. Not only biblical truth but all truth. It’s continually suppressed which is where this all started. When you get a minute, read Isaiah 9:8-10:4. I know this was judgement against Israel but the judgements seem strikingly similar to what we see happening today in our own country.
I cannot help but feel a sense of compassion for the lost, despite the way they behave. Jesus said, even from the cross, ” Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”. Deception! We would be no different if it were not for Him.’ Why me’ I have so often wondered and why not someone else. He foreknew me. Maybe.. Where there is life there is hope, for yet a while.
Yes, all the more reason to preach the gospel while we are still here to anyone who will listen
I find it so hard to have compassion for anyone these days. I know I should but it is just not there. I also have the same questions…why me? Why not my neighbor or my cousin or my family member? Why did He foreknow me but not those others I mentioned? It is a mystery which I don’t think will be solved until we are face to face with Him.
Spot on. Dr. John MacArthur shared a chilling message, “When God Abandons a Nation.” Romans 1: 18-32 . He minces no words. Homosexuality is a byproduct of depravity. The bottom of the barrel stuff. Oozing slime from the pit.
He also mentions that when God turns them over, they become, “moronic,” in thought and deed. Incapable of rational thoughts. That describes a Godless America today. Our day has come and gone.