Romans 1:19
19 Because [dioti] that which may be
known [gnostos] of God [theos] is [esti] manifest [phaneros] in [en] them [autos]; for [gar] God [theos] hath shewed [phaneroo] it
unto them [autos]. KJV-Interlinear
19 For what can be known
about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. ESV
The world knows of God, despite not seeking Him. People by their very nature, do not seek
God. You can even look at yourself, and answer
the questions, ‘Do I seek God in the manner in which He wants me to seek?’ ‘Do I obey the mandates to study and learn
and be taught?’ ‘Is God important enough
to me, for me to pursue knowledge of Him and His plan?’ ‘Does His plan even mean anything to me?’ ‘Is learning and wanting to know, too
annoying and difficult?’
And for the most part, people will give lip
service, but that is about all. While
most people seek their own version of God and the hereafter, because those
pursuits tend to be more convenient to the functions of the sin nature.
Paul is telling us that no one on this planet can
live without seeing the works and evidence of God. Through its beauty, and design, and complexity,
even through the phenomenal provisions within the planets resources that makes
the continuation of the human race possible, make it clear that God exists and
is behind it all.
When has the world run out of soil to plant? When has the world run out of fresh
water? When has the world run out of
food? When has the world run out of the
basics that are needed to employ and make a living for everyone? Never.
Only humanity has screwed things up so as to make
things and life difficult for the vast majority.
Note that for the last 6000 years, there have been
numerous wars, high infant mortality rates, diseases, disasters and so forth, more
than enough events to have killed off the population several times, and still the
world population has grown steadily.
Even the flood of Noah, which made a major correction in the population
right down to eight people, did not destroy humanity, despite Satan’s efforts.
And since the flood there have been many problems
that could have easily driven humanity into extinction. But we are still here and our population is growing
faster than ever before. And we are here
for one reason and that is of course Gods grace and the major restraint against
sin that is in this world.
So, odd as it may seem, the controls on population
are in place.
However, when the Rapture does occur, at some point
in the future, those restraints will be removed and the population of the world
will drive itself to near extinction in less than seven years.
All of the horrors and crime and torturing and
evils that have occurred in our past, will seem like nothing when compared to
the cruelty that man will bring upon man during those seven years. The magnitude of which we cannot even begin
to imagine.
And yet, Paul states here that all that is God, is
plain to see. Yet people see it, but refuse
to see it, preferring to seek after the more easy desires of laziness and
pleasure and such of this world.
And note that Paul states, that which is
known. He does not say, knowable. He says known.
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Man knows what is right from wrong. Man knows God from false objects.
Man simply chooses to pursue the false and reject
the true. That is why there are so many
religions, so many philosophies, so many belief systems out there, because
there is a plan for everyone and a plan to fit all drives of lust.
So there is no excuse. And anyone who attempts to create some explanation
or excuse, is lying.
There is one God, one savior, one truth, and
everything else is a lie.
There is one meaning and purpose and pursuit which
is noble and honorable, and that is the Christian faith and life through Bible doctrine. But very few dedicate themselves to that
pursuit.
Substituting social justice stuff, do-gooder stuff,
sincerity stuff, in lieu of the legitimate spiritual life, is wrong. Those who reject Gods plan and purpose, do so
through their own decisions.
The spiritual life provides all answers, solves all
problems, accomplishes all goals.
The spiritual life is out there as full and free as
the air around the planet. Everyone
breathes the air, but not everyone gives it a second thought or considers how
or why we have it.
The same applies to Bible doctrine.
Just because the Israelites had the scriptures,
does not mean that everyone else had nothing.
Common sense and Gods design haven been far more
prevalent than the very few written documents of history.
