Self-will. Romans 1:32 In the final verse of chapter one where condemnation is pronounced on the ungodly, where their sin is exposed and warnings are given, there is a unity of those who deliberately choose to continue in their outrageous conduct. Their conduct of evil was not due to ignorance of what God required, but a matter of their own self will. They have inner knowledge of God; of normal, moral righteousness they received from God as an inbuilt part of our humanity. They were warned of what their ways deserved and that divine condemnation would be the result. But in spite of this knowledge, they persisted in their practices of evil. The witness of their conscience and of creation did not bring them to a halt nor to repentance. They persisted in rebellion and self-will and promoted their fellowship of evil with other evil-doers like themselves.
Rather than regretting and being ashamed of their sinful ways and deeds of sin, they applauded them and approved of others who did the same. The world of the ungodly is a race of people who are alienated from the life of God. The "wrath of God" is revealed from heaven against them. It may seem like people are getting away with debased, evil, wicked, sinful living, but the judgment of God will still take place. There are governmental actions that God sends now when people resist the truth they have known.
God's wrath revealed from heaven is against all ungodliness and against all unrighteousness of men. God has not overlooked sin but it was judged when Christ suffered for sin on the cross. Now there is no question as to the seriousness of man's sin. The Holy God did not spare His Son when our sin was laid on Him. Now it is for our greatest blessing that God's grace and love to us makes our forgiveness possible. The forms that temporarily covered sin in the past days of ignorance that "God winked at," are finished. Now "God commands all men everywhere to repent." Safety from the consequences of sin is now found only in the saving work of Christ. It is in Christ alone one can be preserved from the wrath of God that is revealed from heaven against self-will.