In the New Testament passage of Romans 1 the Apostle Paul, under inspiration of the Holy Ghost describes
mankind's decent into depravity. Be sure to read the last verse of the passage, verse 32.
Depravity loves lots of company. 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. Romans 1: 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that
are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of
the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to
the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness
of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,
who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because
that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen,
being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 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. |
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22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became
fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible
God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts
of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 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. 26 For this cause
God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman,
burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence
of their error which was meet. 28 And even as
they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not
convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness,
fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
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30 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. Romans
4 is so comforting in that righteousness with God is IMPUTED TO BELIEVERS based on their sincere personal
acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. Romans 4: 1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works,
he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For
what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the
ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins
are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the
Lord will not impute sin. 9 Cometh this blessedness
then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision?
Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. |
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11 And he received the sign of circumcision,
a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that
believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only,
but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not
to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the
promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham;
who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written,
I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those
things which be not as though they were. 18 Who
against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall
thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith,
he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was
strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And
being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised
up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was
delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
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