“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” (Rom. 1:21).

The Holy Spirit through Paul is declaring the facts about a world that rejects the true and living God.  Rome was a haven for paganism and political power.  It was also a microcosm for the rest of the Roman dominated world.  If one were not a Jew or Christian who believed in one God (cf. Deut. 6:4; Eph. 4:6; James 2:19), then paganism in some form was the dominate worldview.  There are consequences that come with choices and rejecting God has its consequences.  Consider three points made about a world that knew about God but did not choose God.

1. They Pronounce Themselves Wise Anyway. The Bible clearly states that they “became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Rom. 1:21).  In spite of all their lack of wisdom in rejecting God the Bible still states, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Rom. 1:22).  Choosing not “to retain God in their knowledge” (Rom. 1:28) brought on a foolishness that they were not willing to accept.  Therefore, they would keep telling themselves and others like them that they were the wise ones of their day.  Pagan Egypt in the days of Moses had its education (cf. Acts 7:22) with its wise men (cf. Ex. 7:11) but such did not yield to the truth of the living God.  Babylon had its wise men (cf. Daniel 2:27) but such did not turn the nation unto the truth of the living God.  “Freethinkers” and those who believe that one is truly free and intelligent when unshackled from the trappings of religions abound in many corners of the world.  All, like Timothy, would be wise to continue in the Bible that truly makes one wise (cf. 2 Tim. 3:15).
2. They Produce Their Own Object of Worship and Service. Paul wrote further, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Rom. 1:25).  Humans realize that there is some power greater than themselves (cf. Eccl. 3:11).  Whether that object become a tangible object like a man-made idol (cf. Rom. 1:23) or an ideology that is just as powerful as a tangible object (cf. 1 Sam. 15:23; Col. 3:5), adoration and service are turned unto some direction.  Rebellion often seeks to find an imaginary “god” to channel its affections and hopes.
3. They Pervert the True Morals of Life. The Holy Spirit disclosed the real reprobate mind (cf. Rom. 1:28) of a rejection of God in the characteristics of that thinking that magnifies fleshly gratification and fleshly lifestyles.  Their uncleanness of life was seen where they “dishonour their own bodies between themselves” (Rom. 1:24) with “vile affections” (Rom. 1:26-27) which today would be classed in the LGBTQ communities.  Beyond the sexual perversion would come “being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, implacable, unmerciful” (Rom. 1:29-30).  Is there any wonder today that the people who currently reject God turn to the same thinking and lifestyles that were present in the first century?  May all clearly see that a people who reject God do so to their own peril (cf. Ps. 9:17).

Jimmy Clark