ROMANS 1:32 SELF-WILL 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.
What would possess a person to do what they know is inherently wrong. The darkness of deliberate sin controls one and is so incredibly strong, That those who participate willingly in evil and its despicable acts, Try to make it attractive to rebel against God and keep themselves from facing facts.
There is no question that self-will controls when allowed to have its way. Rebellion against God has lasting consequences that will be exposed at judgment day. When people know what is right because of conscience and the inner man, There is no doubt they are denying the Lord God in every way they can.
God's righteous decrees are known, it is part of our humanity. He has placed within our hearts the consciousness of eternity. There is no escaping the results of deliberate denial and rejection. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven; for such there is no salvation.
When sinful practices are continued in, and in others it is approved; There will be a day of recompense when heaven and earth are moved, To leave each self-willed rebel to stand alone before God, And there is not one there who will remain standing, all will kneel before the Lord.
The best we can do to help those who still in sin's darkness dwell, Is to make sure we know the truth of God and them the Gospel tell. At times all we have at our disposal is our life-style to shed some light, On those who have up until now chosen to live in moral night.
Occasionally we will have opportunity to speak out in the defense of our faith. When that time comes to us, we need to speak the truth with love and grace. And trust the Holy Spirit will take some of those words to use, So those darkened hearts will be broken, lest their soul they forever loose.
"Holy God, the Father of all who put personal faith in Christ: may there yet be given to Thy servant occasions to speak Thy truth to the lost souls around us. If there is a way, I should present the Gospel tonight in a way I haven't thought of, please bring it to my attention so souls can be saved. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."