WHEN PEOPLE REJECT GOD

WHEN PEOPLE REJECT GOD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Romans 1:18-32

Key Verse: "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." (Romans 1:25, KJV)

Supporting Texts: Psalm 14:1; Isaiah 55:6-7; John 3:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Proverbs 14:12; Hebrews 3:12-15.

Description: Rejecting God leads to spiritual darkness, moral corruption, and divine judgement, while accepting Him brings life, truth, and eternal hope.

INTRODUCTION
Romans 1:18-32 presents one of the clearest biblical descriptions of what happens when people deliberately reject God and refuse to acknowledge His authority. Although God has revealed Himself through creation and through His truth, many choose to suppress that truth and pursue lives independent of Him. The result is spiritual blindness, moral decline, and separation from God.

The Apostle Paul explains that God's wrath is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness because humanity knowingly turns away from the Creator. When people reject God's truth, they exchange it for deception, replacing the worship of the living God with the worship of created things, human desires, and worldly philosophies.

This passage is not merely a warning to the unbelieving world but also an exhortation to believers to remain steadfast in the truth of God's Word. In an age where many reject biblical values, Christians are called to stand firmly for righteousness, proclaim the Gospel, and live lives that honour the Lord.

1. REJECTING GOD BEGINS WITH REJECTING HIS TRUTH
Every departure from God begins when people refuse to accept His revealed truth.

a) God Has Revealed Himself To Humanity (Romans 1:19-20)
Creation itself testifies to the existence, power, and wisdom of God, leaving humanity without excuse.

b) People Suppress The Truth (Romans 1:18)
Many knowingly reject God's truth because they prefer to live according to their own desires.

c) Human Wisdom Cannot Replace Divine Truth (1 Corinthians 3:19)
The wisdom of this world can never surpass the perfect wisdom of God.

d) Rejecting Truth Leads To Deception (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)
Those who reject God's truth become vulnerable to lies and spiritual error.

Biblical Example: Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1-2; 7:13). Despite witnessing God's mighty works, Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart and refused to obey the Lord.

2. REJECTING GOD LEADS TO SPIRITUAL AND MORAL DECLINE
When people reject God's authority, their thinking becomes corrupted, and their conduct follows.

a) Foolish Hearts Become Darkened (Romans 1:21)
Without God, human understanding becomes spiritually blinded.

b) Idolatry Replaces True Worship (Romans 1:22-25)
People exchange the glory of God for idols, possessions, pleasure, or self.

c) Sin Multiplies When God Is Rejected (Romans 1:28-31)
Turning away from God opens the door to every form of ungodliness and moral confusion.

d) Sin Brings Spiritual Bondage (John 8:34)
Those who continually practise sin become enslaved by it until they are set free by Christ.

Biblical Example: King Saul (1 Samuel 15:22-23; 16:14). Saul's repeated disobedience and rejection of God's Word resulted in the loss of God's favour and spiritual decline.

3. GOD'S JUDGEMENT FOLLOWS PERSISTENT REBELLION
God is patient and merciful, but persistent rejection of His grace eventually results in judgement.

a) God Gives People Over To Their Choices (Romans 1:24, 26, 28)
When people continually reject Him, God allows them to experience the consequences of their decisions.

b) God Is Both Loving And Just (Psalm 89:14)
His mercy never cancels His righteousness and justice.

c) Judgement Is Certain Without Repentance (Hebrews 9:27)
Every person will one day stand before God to give an account of his or her life.

d) Today Is The Day Of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)
God continues to extend His grace, calling people to repentance before judgement comes.

Biblical Example: The people in Noah's generation (Genesis 6:5–8; 7:21-23). They ignored God's warnings until judgement came through the flood.

4. THE GOSPEL OFFERS HOPE TO THOSE WHO RETURN TO GOD
No matter how far people have wandered, God's grace remains available to everyone who repents and believes.

a) God Calls Sinners To Repentance (Isaiah 55:6-7)
The Lord lovingly invites all who have strayed to return to Him.

b) Jesus Christ Is The Only Saviour (John 14:6)
Through Christ alone, sinners receive forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

c) The Holy Spirit Transforms Lives (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Those who come to Christ become new creations with new desires and a new purpose.

d) Walk Continually In God's Truth (John 8:31-32)
Remaining in God's Word brings spiritual freedom and lasting victory.

Biblical Example: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:17-24). After rejecting his father's ways and suffering the consequences, he returned in repentance and was graciously restored.

CONCLUSION
Romans 1:18-32 is a solemn warning about the consequences of rejecting God. When people reject His truth, they drift into spiritual darkness, moral confusion, and eventual judgement. Yet even in this passage, God's mercy is evident because He continues to call people to repentance through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As believers, we must reject the values of a godless world and remain firmly rooted in God's Word. Let us honour the Lord with our lives, proclaim His truth without compromise, and encourage others to receive His saving grace before it is too late. God's desire is not that anyone should perish but that all should come to repentance.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, help me to remain faithful to Your truth in every season of my life, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, keep my heart from every form of spiritual deception, in Jesus name.

3. Father, deliver me from every influence that seeks to draw me away from You, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, give me the courage to stand for righteousness in a corrupt generation, in Jesus name.

5. Father, let Your Holy Spirit continually guide me into all truth, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help me to reject every form of idolatry and worldly compromise, in Jesus name.

7. Father, bring conviction and repentance to everyone who has wandered away from You, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, use me as an instrument to lead many people to Christ, in Jesus name.

9. Father, preserve my life and family from the consequences of sin and rebellion, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, keep me steadfast in faith until the day I stand before You, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall remain firmly established in the truth of God's Word throughout your life.

2. Every spirit of deception and compromise shall have no place in your life.

3. The Holy Spirit shall continually guide you into righteousness and truth.

4. You shall overcome every temptation to conform to the ungodly patterns of this world.

5. The grace of God shall preserve you from every form of spiritual decline.

6. You shall be a bold witness for Jesus Christ in your generation.

7. Every member of your family shall experience the saving grace and mercy of God.

8. The Lord shall strengthen you to live a holy and uncompromising life before Him.

9. Your life shall reflect the light of Christ in the midst of a dark and corrupt world.

10. From this day forward, you shall walk in the truth of God, remain faithful to His Word, experience His favour and protection, and finish your Christian race with joy, in the mighty name of Jesus.