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Title: The Judgement Checklist
v28 (read) This is Consequence Four. The same theme keeps recurring with these consequences, and that is the theme of God “giving us up” to ourselves. Next week, as we move into chapter two, we will review all of these consequences in more detail.
But for now, just remember this: The worst thing that God can do to us is remove him presence from our lives.
V28 “they did not like to retain God in their knowledge…” This is an exceptional translation. I can think of few other statements that define particularly American thought as this one: “They did not like to retain God in their knowledge.”
You and I know so many very intelligent individuals who refuse to acknowledge God in any way whatsoever. They have intelligence, but not wisdom. They have not wisdom because they fear not God. All of the intelligence in the world can’t stand up to one drop of God-fearing intelligence.
And what does God do? He withdraws himself, and turns these people over to what they want, to themselves. I look at passages like this, and, personally, I’m amazed that our world isn’t in ruins already. I have to think that the only reason we aren’t is because God has something he wants to tell His people before we destroy ourselves. And you and I are the chosen messengers.
V29-32 Paul is a great user of lists in his writings. We think of the Fruit of the Spirit on the banner behind me, the works of the flesh, which are very similar to this list here. But there are also more subtle lists Paul uses. Like in 2 Timothy 4:2 when Paul tells his apprentice Timothy: “Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
Simply put, Paul likes to use lists. And these lists provide a great tool for us to use not as a gavel to judge others, for we will see the dangers of that kind of attitude next week, but rather as a list of accountability for our own lives.
Let me show you what I mean by simply stating each of these things and asking a simple question pertaining to each phrase. I’d ask you to close your eyes for a moment and just listen to these questions, answer them in your heart.
Sexual immorality: Christ said that if you even look at a woman lustfully you’ve committed adultery. Have you ever looked at someone who isn’t your spouse with lustful eyes?
Wickedness: Have you ever done something that was literally evil, and could offer no explanation for your actions?
Covetousness: Have you ever been frustrated when you couldn’t obtain something for yourself that your neighbor was able to obtain?
Maliciousness: Have hurt someone and claimed it was an accident?
Full of Envy: Have you ever been jealous of another person, not for what they have, but for what they were and you were not?
Murder: Have you ever wished anyone dead?
Strife: Have you ever lost your temper in an argument?
Deceit: Have you ever done something with ulterior motives in mind?
Evil-mindedness: Have you ever had visions of doing evil and instead of rebuking those visions you encouraged them by playing them out in your mind?
They are whisperers: Have you ever spoken about another when they were not present to explain themselves?
Backbiters: Have you ever rolled your eyes at anyone once they turned their back on you?
Haters of God: Have you ever known that you were about to sin, and then sinned anyway?
Violent: Have you ever gotten physical with somebody when it was inappropriate?
Proud: Have you ever given yourself credit without acknowledging God’s role?
Boasters: Have you ever directed attention to yourself?
Inventors of Evil things: Have you ever schemed in a less than honest fashion?
Disobedient to Parents: Do you still honor and respect your parent’s wishes?
Undiscerning: Have you ever just done something without thinking through the consequences and the people that may be effected by your decision?
Untrustworthy: Have you ever broken someone’s trust?
Unloving: Have you ever just “turned off” that instinct that tells you to be compassionate, in favor of being stoic?
Unforgiving: Have you ever told someone you forgave them, but held bitterness in your heart?
Unmerciful: When another is wrong, do you use that to your advantage over them?
Open your eyes and look at me. Do you know what separates us from the world? Certainly not our action. The only difference between us and the world is a covering of grace that allows us to chose not these things, but their opposites. The world, they’ve been turned over to themselves, by God himself. They do what is in their natures. If their natures are unchanged so are their actions.
You and I need to review lists like these to bring us back to place where we don’t hold judgement over others, when we bow in humility before God and say, “Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for brining me out of the mud and mire.”
V32 (read)
This is such an interesting observation by Paul. What he essentially says is that these people know in their hearts that a judgement is coming, but in retaliation against God they not only pursue what is unholy in the name of their personal freedom from God….also impose their beliefs and encourage others to do as they do.
I get so sick of hearing that Christians “impose” on others. If anything the opposite is true. Every day we are told what is “appropriate” and “right” to say to another. Political Correctness and Liberal agenda are influencing our youth at an alarming rate to the point where a five year old is riding in the car with his parents and saying, “But Daddy, I learned in school that there is nothing wrong with being gay, or living with someone before you are married, or having an abortion.”
It is they who impose, and they do so in the most ignorant fashion imaginable. Without fear of God. Oh they have intelligence, but no wisdom. Let us never forget the difference