Self-reason, Pride, And the Spurning of God Leads to World Destruction ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

Last week we focused on Romans 1:18-32. This is so important to understand, I believe it does need further time spent to explain. Humanity of its own self-reason, pride, and the spurning of God will lead to World Destruction. This truth is so penetrating that I do feel we need to take a deeper look at this. Particularly when we consider that in Romans 2:1-4 points out clearly. We who know Christ have no right to judge others. It is very easy to look at the course of the sinner’s progressive slip downward slip into hell. Then say, “Thank God, that’s not me.” In fact, sometimes we will think, “I am not like them. Aren’t you proud of me, God?”

But the truth is we are not saved by our own efforts. And our self-reason and pride cause us to slip as well. My salvation is certain; but, my spiritual happiness, peace, and hope in this world are affected. I too sometimes go where I should not. Even while all the way, the Holy Spirit of God is saying, “Don’t go there.”

Therefore, you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:1-4 NKJV

Let us Review How Self-reason, Pride, and the Spurning of God leads to Destruction

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Romans 1:18-23 NKJV

Throughout the Universe and throughout history, God has revealed Himself to each person. His common grace supports each from falling into the pit of hell each day. Only by the pleasure of His Will. He also gave us a “conscience” to weigh right from wrong. Example: A child knows innately that it is wrong to lie, but do it anyway. I heard a wonderful illustration of this by Pastor Jack Hibbs.

Imagine yourself on a spiraling staircase. Each step of the staircase, God is with you whispering, do not go there. But you do. Maybe you are married and at work you see this beautiful girl at the water fountain or some handsome new charming guy. You say, “Well, I am not doing anything but looking. What is wrong with eye candy.” So, you take that step. Then well, it doesn’t hurt to talk to them, does it? God still whispering do not go there and you step again. This keeps happening until, if not a believer, you stop even hearing the voice say no. If a believer, you begin to drift from His Presence as you spiral downward no longer feeling His love and His joy.

Where does it all begin, but self-reason, pride and spurning of God

So what is the next step?

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans 1:24-25 NKJV

Each step spiraling further away from God down a winding staircase toward destruction.

For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise, also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. Romans 1:26-27 NKJV

Sometimes the church or some who profess themselves to be Christian want to feel themselves righteous of their own voluntold. Then they begin to accept the lies as though it is truth. Forgetting that God to remain just, must punish sin. And whatever we do or say attempting to change His truth for a lie, we too fall under His judgment. This continues until chaos and confusion becomes the norm.

Self-reason, Pride and Spurning of God leading to further destruction

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32 NKJV

“How wonderful”, you might say, “I am not like them.” But without the blood of Christ covering your sin, aren’t you? I know I am. Everyday shows me how I am nothing without His Hand to hold me up.

This world is heading for its final well-deserved judgement. The only reason it has not been destroyed is because of God’s Grace and His long-suffering patience awaiting His perfect time. Each day there are some who are called to Him. Otherwise, we would fall into the final spiraling fall into the pits of Hell itself.

A Quick Look Back Into Another time of Self-Reason, Pride and the Spurning of God

America was originally founded by people who desired religious freedom. Their pursuits surrounded worshipping and praising God for His provision. Then in the 1600s people began seeking material wealth and prosperity instead of seeking God. People lost the sense of fervency. Then the Puritans due to loss of membership began a policy of what was called the half-way covenant allowing people to join who had no profession of faith in Christ. It began by allowing the children to join, hoping they would later be saved. But then they allowed more in.

The AGE of REASON came. With this the intellectuals began to seek truth through human reason. Pride, drunkenness, lawlessness and a disregard for Godly things followed quickly. By the early 1700s, the land and people prospered; but they turned further from God. Many clergy even were placed who had never proclaimed a personal relationship with Christ. It was a “career choice” rather than a calling to preach the gospel. How could they preach what they had not even themselves experienced? Finally, a few preachers began preaching, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. All needed to be awakened from the sleep of death.” This began what was to be referred to as the Great Awakening. A seminary was started in Pennsylvania by William Tennent a Presbyterian Minister. The gospel message began to spread, despite the “Established Church” despising it.

Truth Overcomes Self-reason, Pride and the Spurning of God

In North Hampton Massachusetts, Jonathan Edwards became known as the intellectual preacher. At age 13 he studied at Yale and became very skilled in philosophy as well. As a pastor, he studied up to 13 hours a day. He taught the absolute necessity of a saving relationship with God through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the workings of the Holy Spirit to open their eyes.

Then, he preached a sermon called “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” July 8, 1741, in Enfield Connecticut. He had previously preached it in his home congregation in Northampton, Massachusetts with minimal impact. This time, he had spent three days fasting, in prayer day and night with no sleep. He read the sermon from hand sized notes held close to his face. Yet, this time, he could not even finish. Because the out-cry and waling of the people convicted by their own sin overwhelmed the area. And even down the streets. People were saved. This was considered one of the most resistant communities of their time.

“As one participant later recalled, when the ministers entered the church at Enfield, the gathered people were ‘thoughtless and vain.’ By comparison with other towns at the time, the people there were not even showing any particular interest—let alone great passion—regarding the things of God. In fact, they ‘hardly conducted themselves with common decency.’ ”¹

What was different? That day the Holy Spirit did a mighty work to save the people. It was the pleasure of God that did not allow the people to slip that day. What did Edwards read from the pulpit?

Excerpts from “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

the reason why they are not fallen already and do not fall now is only that God’s appointed time is not come. For it is said, that when that due time, or appointed time comes, their foot shall slide. Then they shall be left to fall, as they are inclined by their own weight. God will not hold them up in these slippery places any longer, but will let them go; and then, at that very instant, they shall fall into destruction; as he that stands on such slippery declining ground, on the edge of a pit, he cannot stand alone, when he is let go he immediately falls and is lost.

The observation from the words that I would now insist upon is this.—“There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God.”—By the mere pleasure of God, I mean his sovereign pleasure, his arbitrary will, restrained by no obligation, hindered by no manner of difficulty…

Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell; and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf, and your healthy constitution, and your own care and prudence, and best contrivance, and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider’s web would have to stop a falling rock. Were it not for the sovereign pleasure of God, the earth would not bear you one moment; for you are a burden to it; the creation groans with you; the creature is made subject to the bondage of your corruption, not willingly; the sun does not willingly shine upon you to give you light to serve sin and Satan; the earth does not willingly yield her increase to satisfy your lusts; nor is it willingly a stage for your wickedness to be acted upon; the air does not willingly serve you for breath to maintain the flame of life in your vitals, while you spend your life in the service of God’s enemies…

Therefore, let every one that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come. The wrath of Almighty God is now undoubtedly hanging over a great part of this congregation. Let everyone fly out of Sodom: “Haste and escape for your lives, look not behind you, escape to the mountain, lest you be consumed.”² ² Edwards, Jonathan, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/edwards_jonathan/Sermons/Sinners.cfm

Let Us Lay Aside Self-reason, Pride, and the Spurning of God

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

God is on His Throne and This is His Promise, Jesus will be seated on His Rightful Throne

Why do the nations rage,

And the people plot a vain thing?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

“Let us break Their bonds in pieces

And cast away Their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;

The Lord shall hold them in derision.

Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,

And distress them in His deep displeasure:

“Yet I have set My King

On My holy hill of Zion.”

“I will declare the decree:

The Lord has said to Me,

‘You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.

Ask of Me, and I will give You

The nations for Your inheritance,

And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

You shall break them with a rod of iron;

You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”

Now therefore, be wise, O kings;

Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

Serve the Lord with fear,

And rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,

And you perish in the way,

When His wrath is kindled but a little.

Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Psalm 2

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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The Wrath of God Really Matters. How Does Truth Change Everything?

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Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

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