What Does Romans 1:21 Mean?

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Romans 1:21(NASB)

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The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for it is by faith we are saved... but how many refuse to place their trust in the very God Who created them, and Who sent His only begotten Son to be the sacrifice for the sin of mankind.

Many like to call themselves atheists or agnostics, refusing to believe in their Creator, despite overwhelming evidence in every area of God's creation. Some have adopted doctrines of demons or the foolish philosophies of men, while others have been hoodwinked into serving false gods or believing in a distorted Scripture, causing them to deny the Lord Who bought them.

This rejection of the true and living God, is not only a modern trend, which is evidenced throughout the nations of our time. This spurning of God and His gracious offer of salvation has been evident in every nation and each generation, from the beginning of creation. Indeed, enmity towards God and rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ has continued unabated, down the corrupt corridors of time to this present day.

Men are sinners by nature, making the whole world guilty before the Lord. And although the heavens declare the glory of God, and the glittering stars in the firmament of heaven display His powerful handiwork, fallen men have rejected their mighty Creator and eternal Saviour, and have formed their own little gods in their own foolish image.

Although every man knows God, in their intellect, because of the magnificent intricacies of His creation, and the unparalleled wonders of His creative handiwork... nevertheless, they refuse to acknowledge Him as their Maker. They do not give Him the glory He justly deserves... neither do they offer Him thanks and praise for all that He has done for each one of us.

God's condemnation of the pagan world, and His righteous indignation against their foolishness is because the invisible majesty, the eternal power and the glory of God is clearly displayed throughout creation - and yet, despite knowing the truth, they suppress it through their wild imaginations, which causes their hearts to become hardened, callused, and unrepentant.

This is the sorry state of fallen humanity, who in prideful conceit, have chosen to hand themselves over to worldly philosophies, foolish imaginations, and futile speculation, instead of acknowledging the true, incorruptible, infinite, and living God. How sad that even though they knew God, they did not honour Him as God, nor did they give Him the thanksgiving and praise He deserves.. but instead, they became futile in their stupid speculations and wild imaginations, and their foolish hearts became shrouded in the satanically-inspired darkness of sin and death.

Paul's description of unregenerate men in this first chapter of Romans, not only refers to past, pagan, Gentile nations of long ago, and generations of prideful, unbelieving Israel... but it perfectly describes the arrogant, anti-God agenda of the 21st century, which has become so painfully familiar, in this God-hating, Christ-rejecting, sinful world.

Nevertheless, Christ died for each one, and while it is still "today", there is time for sinners to turn from their wicked ways and to trust in the true and living God. There is no one who is so far removed from God's saving grace that they cannot be saved by grace, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us continue to share the good news of the gospel of grace with those that are dead in their sins and living under God's condemnation - for who knows if some may be convicted of their need of redemption and turn from their sinful ways and trust in Christ for the salvation of their soul?

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, the world is becoming increasingly evil, and the rejection of Your gracious offer of salvation, by faith in Jesus Christ, seems to have saturated this fallen world. But You are a God of mercy and grace, Who is not willing that ANY should perish, but that all should come to repentance and faith in Christ. Thank You that every man has the free-will to accept Your offer of salvation, by trusting in Jesus, Who died so that they might live. I pray that many, who are in the valley of decisions, would turn to Christ and trust in You today, for the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting, and use me I pray, to touch the lives of some with the good news of the gospel of God. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.

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