A Romans 1 World Pt. 21 Conclusion: Unrepentant Sinners will face Divine Judgment.

Romans 1:30-32  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32)  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 

Implacable. This word literally means without a truce. It is the idea of a person who can never be appeased because he or she is in a constant state of enmity. It is a person who is malicious and hateful at their core. 

We do not have to work very hard to find constant examples of implacable people in our culture. It only takes a few moments of watching what passes for "news" these days to see that talking heads are at war with anyone who does not agree with their viewpoint. 

We see it in schools where 20% of all high school students claim to have experienced bullying by people who we would call implacable. In addition, 15% of the same age group of students reported being victims of cyber bullying. Common examples of bullying include verbal taunting and mocking; physical altercations like pushing or tripping and suffering property damage.

We see it in the workplace where about 100,000 cases of harassment occur each year. The EEOC estimates that about 75% of workplace harassment cases go unreported because victims fear retaliation. Sexual harassment is the largest form of this type of crime. Again, people harass or bully others when they have an implacable nature. 

What God says about implacable people.

Proverbs 6:18  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 

The implacable person would be described in this text. They have wicked imaginations that cause them to run swiftly to bully or harass or hurt others. This text is part of the list of 7 things that God hates. 

Romans 12:14  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 

Paul, under the guidance of God's Spirit, reminds us not to respond in kind to those who try to hurt us in some manner. Instead, we are to bless them and avoid angry arguing or cursing at them. 

Romans 12:19-21  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20) Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Later in the same chapter, Paul reminds us not to get revenge on the implacable people who do bad things to us. Vengeance belongs to Jehovah and He will bring His wrath upon their heads. Rather, we are to respond with kindness and overcome evil with good. 

Unmerciful. This word is only used once in the Bible. It means to lack compassion toward others. The unmerciful are merciless in their actions and attitudes toward other people.  Perhaps the most flagrant example I can think of are all the people who loudly demand that a woman has a right to kill any unwanted baby that she may be carrying. Animals care better for their offspring that many human mothers. 

What God says about the unmerciful.

Micah 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? 

The prophet Micah gave us a clear explanation of God's expectations for believers. We are to do what is right at all times in all situations. We are to love mercy because God is merciful to us through faith in Christ. Therefore, we are to be merciful even to those who are unmerciful. We are to walk with God in humility. 

Matthew 5:7  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 

Luke 6:36  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 

The Lord Jesus Christ also taught about mercy in the life of a child of God. Those who are merciful are blessed of God and will find mercy at His throne. A merciful attitude accurately reflects the forgiving heart of our Father in heaven. 

People with reprobate minds revel in their sins.

Romans 1:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 

The depraved people that God gave over to a reprobate mind know that they deserve to be judged by God for their egregious sins. The word "judgement" refers to that which God says is holy in His law. They have heard of His holy standard and rejected it, preferring to live in degradation. 

They know what is "right" in the sight of God but they turn away from it. They find satisfaction in other people of reprobate minds who violate God's law with impunity. They know that they are worthy of death. "Death" in this text refers to the violent separation of the soul from the body at the judgment of damnation, whereby they will be cast into eternal flames in hell. 

The word "commit" means to practice, carry on or perpetuate diabolical behaviors. The phrase "have pleasure" means that they actively encourage others to engage in depravity and degradation. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Perilous times are here just as Paul and many others prophesied. The corrupt Romans 1 culture has spread around the world and is pressing in on believers and families everywhere. 

What are we to do? We need to remember what God said in His Word. He told us that the things would wax worse and worse right up to the time of Christ's return. This is what we are seeing unfold each day. It is a validation of God's promises and a reminder to live for Him here and now, no matter how hard it is or bad it gets. 

What resources do we have? We have the sword of the Spirit, the mighty Word of God (Ephesians 6). We have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit of God. We have full access to the throne of Grace in heaven. Therefore, we must be studying and memorizing scripture with the intent to share it with other people. We must pray each day, crying out for a fresh filling of God's Spirit, so that we might be led by Him and walk with Him. We are to pray without ceasing because we have a merciful high priest, Jesus Christ, who will help us (Hebrews 4:12-16). 

I pray that the Lord will encourage each born again believer to cling to Christ in dependency and that we would happily be busy about the work that He left us here to do. We are truly strangers and pilgrims walking through a world that looks more and more like Sodom and Gomorrah. God will judge it all and put all things right. He will not leave us or forsake us. We must keep pressing toward the mark of our high calling in Christ Jesus. May we all seek the face of our God and ask for His help.

Bob